TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim expressed her confidence in the trust the U.S. places in President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday (Nov. 25). She assured that her running mate, presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, will continue Tsai's diplomatic policies if elected.
Speaking during an interview on the Era News program "The View with Catherine Chang," Hsiao addressed concerns about the "Lai-Hsiao ticket" being perceived as strongly pro-Taiwan independence. She suggested that the focus should not be on political labels but on actions.
Hsiao shared the belief that Taiwan's consensus is to maintain the status quo and to have a peaceful desire for sustainable and healthy exchanges with China, including trade and cultural interactions.
Describing herself as a "cat warrior," Hsiao emphasized the need for diplomacy to strike a balance that recognizes opportunities and risks, aiming to maximize Taiwan's international support and participation.
On the possibility of speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping face-to-face, Hsiao said she would urge him to empathize more with the aspirations of the Taiwanese people, including their desire to maintain a democratic and free lifestyle. She believes that mutual understanding could form the basis for greater trust between the two sides.
If given a chance, Hsiao added that she would highly recommend Taiwan's delicious agricultural products, such as Taiwanese mangoes, to Xi, showcasing the country's offerings.
With this interview, Hsiao Bi-khim reaffirmed the DPP's commitment to Taiwan's autonomy and the deep-rooted desire to engage in friendly and reciprocal relations with neighboring countries, including China, while underscoring the value of compassion and mutual respect in cross-strait relations.