‘President did not dare attend’: Taiwan opposition questions Tsai Ing-wen’s absence from Taiping pier ceremony
- Taiwan launched its newly renovated pier on Taiping islet in the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday but Tsai Ing-wen’s absence was noted by the opposition
- Premier says timing was inappropriate for Tsai to visit Taiping because of recently escalating tensions in the South China Sea
The Taiwan-controlled islet is the largest natural feature of the Spratly Islands, a South China Sea archipelago also wholly claimed by mainland China, the Philippines and Vietnam.
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In 2020, Tsai decided to expand the pier – which includes a new typhoon-proof facility for the inner pier – so it could berth vessels as large as 4,000-tonne frigates. The expansion project was completed this year and an inauguration ceremony was held on Taiping on Tuesday.
Tsai, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, has come under fire from opposition legislators for not taking the opportunity to uphold the island’s claim over Taiping.
“We all know clearly that we have spent NT$1.7 billion (US$53 million) in [renovating] the pier at Taiping and an inauguration ceremony is held there today …. But President Tsai Ing-wen did not dare attend the event,” said Lai Shyh-bao, a legislator of the main opposition Kuomintang party.
“It is such a great opportunity to assert our sovereignty. Why doesn’t she dare to go?” Lai asked Taiwanese Premier Chen Chien-jen in a legislature meeting on Tuesday.
