Tensions between Taiwan and China, which has not ruled out taking the island by force, have escalated in recent weeks as Beijing raises military and political pressure. "We have a wide range of cooperation with the U.S. aiming at increasing our defence capability," Tsai told CNN in the interview aired on Thursday. The United States withdrew its permanently based forces in Taiwan when it severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979. The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its most important international ally and main arms supplier. Tsai has said Taiwan is an independent country and repeatedly vowed to defend its democracy and freedom.

Source: CNN October 28, 2021 21:29 UTC