Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Taiwan’s president has rebuked China over a ban on individual permits for its visitors to the self-ruled island amid growing tensions with Beijing.
China said the ban will come into force on Thursday, citing the state of ties with what it considers a wayward province.
It is a blow for Taiwan’s tourism industry, which has seen a recent growth in visitors from China.
“Using tourists as political tools would only create antipathy in Taiwanese people,” Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, told reporters in Taipei.
“Tourism shouldn’t be politicised,” she said, adding that past experience had shown China manipulated politics by clamping down on tourist numbers ahead of elections.
Taiwan is set to hold presidential elections in January amid precarious relations with China, which has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.
Ms Tsai faces an uphill battle in the race following criticism over her party’s reform agenda as Beijing, which suspects her of pushing for the island’s formal independence, ratchets up diplomatic and military pressure.
China has triggered regional tension with military drills this week near Taiwan, Ms Tsai said, calling them an intimidation move ahead of the election.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments