Taiwan President comments on Trump inauguration

The Taiwanese president says she looks forward to advancing the friendship and partnership between Taiwan and the United States.

Tsai Ing-wen tweeted the remark following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.

Tsai called the United States Taiwan's most important ally in another statement released by the presidential office.

She said the 2 sides hold common values of freedom, democracy and human rights, and have contributed to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Tsai said she hopes the new US administration under Trump will take ties with Taiwan one step further and bring many benefits to the international community.

Taiwan and the US have no formal diplomatic relations.
But Trump held telephone talks with Tsai ahead of his inauguration.

Trump raised hackles in Beijing after indicating he will rethink the US policy on Taiwan, as well as Beijing's "one China" policy upheld by his predecessors.


Some people in Taiwan have expressed hope for closer relations with the US while others are concerned about tension with Beijing.

The Chinese government has yet to comment on Trump's inauguration.

Beijing regards Taiwan as a matter of "core interest", and says its "one China" policy is non-negotiable.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday that Beijing hopes Washington will respect matters of "core interest" between them.