(United States, 17th) In response to U.S. President Trump’s statement that 'he does not want to see anyone move towards independence,' and his call for both Taiwan and China to remain calm, saying that it would be very wise for both sides to ease tensions, Taipei mayoral candidate hopeful Shen Boyang said he believes Trump means that he does not want either side to unilaterally change the status quo, which is also what most people in Taiwan think.
Democratic Progressive Party legislator Shen Boyang was officially nominated by the party headquarters to run in the Taipei mayoral election this week and immediately began canvassing after the announcement. On Saturday afternoon, he was accompanied by DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung to Baoan Temple to pay respects and offer prayers for blessings. After the event, Shen Boyang responded to Trump’s remarks in a joint media interview.
The 43-year-old Shen Boyang founded the 'Black Bear Academy' to promote civil defense training and has been placed under a wanted notice and bounty by Beijing on charges of 'engaging in activities to split the country.'
As for Taiwan independence, Shen Boyang reiterated that so-called Taiwan independence means 'Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country'—this is the status quo. Any acts that would alter the fact that 'Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country,' such as opening the doors to let others invade, is what is meant by 'changing the status quo.' Taiwan has never been the one seeking to change the status quo; Taiwan is not trying to invade China—only China is trying to invade Taiwan. From beginning to end, only China wants to change the status quo. The U.S. policy towards Taiwan has also remained consistent, with the entire Indo-Pacific strategy focused on deterring China.
Regarding the arms sales, Shen Boyang pointed out that the arms sale proposal has been delayed since it was raised in November last year. It is precisely because of this prolonged delay that Chinese President Xi Jinping was able to obtain a bargaining chip to discuss Taiwan arms sales with the U.S. during the Xi-Trump meeting. Therefore, he believes that the real issue Taiwan should be discussing is not the attitudes of the U.S. and China toward arms sales—because their attitudes have not changed. What is not consistent is Taiwan’s parliament: the Legislative Yuan has been sending very mixed messages internationally, causing countries around the world to amplify the matter. Shen Boyang emphasized that before Taiwan relies on others, it should first rely on itself, and the best way is for the Legislative Yuan to seriously review the special national defense budget in the days to come.