Taiwan President Tells Pope Francis War With China Not an Option

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 27, 2022. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told Pope Francis in a Jan. 23 letter that constructive interaction with China can only be guaranteed if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) respects Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.

Tsai cited a speech she gave in October last year in which she emphasized that war with China is “absolutely not an option” and that Taiwan is willing to engage with the CCP to reach a “mutually agreeable arrangement.”