VP Hsiao reaffirms commitment to status quo, calls Taiwan 'stabilizer'

Taipei, June 24 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining the Taiwan Strait status quo to sustain regional prosperity, calling Taiwan a "stabilizer" and "peace builder" in a recent interview.

The peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait are indispensable components of global prosperity, as highlighted by the United States and many others, Hsiao said during an interview with "American Thought Leaders," a program by The Epoch Times.

Hsiao said the security partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. "has enabled us all to maintain the status quo," which she described as the greatest common denominator among all regional stakeholders, even if it is not the ideal scenario.

China makes no secret of its ambition to annex Taiwan, Hsiao said, adding that maintaining the status quo presents a harsh reality for Taipei as it navigates a highly challenging international landscape.

However, she noted that the status quo has fostered decades of peace, stability, and economic growth across the Indo-Pacific.

Asked by host Jan Jekielek about how she envisioned Taiwan's future, Hsiao said the collective goal is a peaceful, stable, democratic, and strong Taiwan, where people have greater confidence in their country and in the role Taiwan can play in the world.

The people of Taiwan strive to be a great country when it comes to contributing to technological progress, humanity, and a more peaceful and stable region, she added.

"Essentially, we are stabilizers. We are peace builders."

When asked during the interview about the Communist Party of China calling her a "separatist," Hsiao said she "takes it in stride," dismissing the label, accusations of her cooperating with the Americans, and the sanctions announced by Beijing.

"We will not let the Communist Party of China define who we are," Hsiao said, adding that such intimidation tactics will not stop her from protecting Taiwan and working with international partners to preserve regional peace and stability.