Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley calls for more international support for Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, on Wednesday called for more international backing for Taiwan and a coordinated pushback against China’s claims over the self-ruled democracy.

“The United States should elevate Taiwan on the world stage. You should no longer be silenced in global affairs,” Haley told an audience at Ketagalan Forum, a Taipei conference focused on security issues in the Asia-Pacific.

She called for Taiwan to become a full member of the U.N. even though it’s being blocked by China from representation in international bodies. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. China also prohibits countries it has international relations with from having formal ties with Taipei.

While the U.S. doesn’t formally recognize Taiwan, it is the island’s strongest backer and arms provider.

Haley, who served at the U.N. under former President Donald Trump’s administration, ran a yearlong presidential campaign as a tough-on-China candidate before dropping out of the race in March. She has endorsed Trump in the November elections.

At the Taipei forum, she called on the U.S. and its Western allies to rally around Taiwan and “relentlessly push” for the island’s global acceptance.

“If we take the necessary steps now, China will think twice before starting a war,” she said.

Yoshihiko Noda, Japan’s former prime minister who also addressed the forum, echoed Haley’s calls for greater representation for Taiwan in international organizations. He decried Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization and said he was determined to push for its participation as an observer, which China opposes.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te