Thread by @NoonInKorea

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen back in the US, thanks to the Taiwan Travel Act (HR 535). Last week she delivered speech at Ronald Reagan Library where she said, "Taiwan’s freedom and future are not negotiable." She's now in Houston on her way back to Taipei

https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1031267419803791360

President Tsai toured Houston's Johnson Space Center and met with Taiwan expatriates and US supporters of Taiwan. Among them, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and House Rep E.B. Johnson. All this in a 27-hour transit stop. Again, why is this a big deal?
scmp.com/week-asia/opin…

Because China regularly goes ballistic whenever Taiwanese diplomats make transit stops in the US, the same way it's trying to impose monopoly control over South China Sea shipping lanes. "The so-called Taiwan leader" is what China calls President Tsai
straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia…

This year, China ratcheted up campaign to deny Taiwan's sovereignty. It ordered airlines to stop referring to Taiwan as a nation on websites. 2 more countries cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan: Dominican Rep & Burkina Faso. Only 18 countries recognize Taiwan
time.com/5365147/taiwan…

But a move out of left field: NK doesn't recognize China but sets up a tourist office in Taipei. Two package tours with 3 or 5 night visits are available costing $1,000. Why? Taiwan's GDP per capita is $25,000, similar to SK and 50 times NK's $500
taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3486973

Obviously NK wants tourists with buying power willing to spend several times more than just a grand in 5 nights. That's why it's building these Las Vegas-style structures resembling casino-hotels. There are 24 million Taiwanese ... about the same number of N Koreans (25 million)

Among 18 countries recognizing Taiwan, 4 are Caribbean islands, 6 are in Micronesia, 5 are Central American republics, 1 is in Africa (Swaziland), 1 is in South America (Paraguay) and one is a holy city-state (Vatican City). We are talking about countries like Saint Kitts & Nevis

Down to 17 from 18: Taiwan loses El Salvador as China seeks to isolate and intimidate Taiwan by launching bomber patrols. Pres Tsai: “We will turn to countries with similar values to fight against China’s increasingly out-of-control international behavior”
reuters.com/article/us-tai…