The president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen spoke to members of the Taiwanese community in New York during a layover in the United States on her way to Central America, where she is trying to garner support for the self-governing island despite tensions with China.

Pro-China protesters gathered in opposition to President Tsai Ing-wen’s activities in New York while waving the Chinese flag.

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Ms. Tsai thanked the U.S. for its security assistance and advocated Taiwanese unity in an address to fellow Taiwanese in New York on Wednesday night.

She said, “The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world will be,” and she promised Taiwan would cooperate with its democratic allies to stay on the democratic road.

Although crucial for Taiwan in showing its support abroad, the visit is risky for both Taiwan and the U.S. because China considers Taiwan to be its territory and views any interactions between U.S. and Taiwanese officials as a challenge to its sovereignty.

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