TAIPEI — China must accept that Taiwan is already independent, President Tsai Ing-wen has said, warning Beijing that any attempt to invade the democratic island would be “very costly”. Beijing regards Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary – especially if it declares independence. “We are an independent country already and we call ourselves the Republic of China, Taiwan,” she added. China has greeted Tsai’s re-election with anger, warning against any move to push the island closer towards independence. “Invading Taiwan is something that is going to be very costly for China,” she said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 15, 2020 07:30 UTC