Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R) is making clear his support of Taiwan. After a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed that the U.S. does not support Taiwan’s independence. This has caused several Republican lawmakers to voice their opposition, which includes presidential candidates. Rising in defense of Taiwan, Suarez vowed to be “strong on China.”
Secretary Blinked raised concern this week after meeting with President Jinping and claiming that the U.S. does not support the independence of Taiwan. “We do not support Taiwan independence” said Blinken after the meeting, adding that the U.S. will “remain opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side.”
Suarez, a presidential candidate, took to social media to voice his concerns, vowing to be “strong on China” by defending Taiwan.
In a video released to social media, Suarez shares that he “was disturbed to hear Anthony Blinken, the secretary of state, going to China and telling China that Taiwan is a province of China.”
“I think that Taiwan ‘s independence is paramount to the United States… As president I would make sure that Taiwan has what it needs to defend itself not just for itself but for America and for its neighbors like Japan who are very worried about China controlling the Chinese sea.” Suarez adds.
He commits to being “strong on China’ because China poses not only a “national security threat but also an economic threat to our viability.”
The comments come as Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R), who has spoken in support of Taiwan and has even been sanctioned by China, introduced the Taiwan Peace Through Strength Act.
Beijing views Taiwan as a rebel province of China while Taiwan sees itself as distinct from China by having its own elected leaders and constitution.
