Taiwan's Tsai says war not an option, offers COVID help to Beijing

New Year's address extends olive branch day after Xi's mild speech

20230101 Tsai ing-wen speaks at her office

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said in her New Year's address that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the common responsibility of all parties in the region. © Office of the President

THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

January 1, 2023 12:02 JST

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen kicked off 2023 with an olive branch to Beijing, offering assistance to China to tackle its COVID-19 crisis, while reiterating that cross-strait war is not an option.

In her annual address on Sunday, Tsai referred to China's surge in infections after it abolished its zero-COVID policy, saying: "We are willing to provide necessary assistance to help more people get out of the pandemic and have a healthy and safe new year."