President William Lai has pledged to uphold Taiwan’s self-governing status in his most high-profile public address since taking office earlier this year. In a thinly-veiled reference to China’s claim over the island, Lai said he would “uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty.” He was speaking to a crowd in Taipei to commemorate Taiwan’s National Day, only nine days after Communist China celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Lai promised to maintain “the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” and pledged to cooperate with Beijing on issues such as climate change, combating infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security. He stated that the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinates to each other, and that democracy and freedom are thriving on this land.
Lai previously told visitors there would be “no surprises” in his national day address, in a bid to reassure them that he would not do anything further to agitate Beijing. However, some viewed several speeches by President Lai over the past few months that some viewed as provocative.
Lai also questioned China’s assertion that its claim over the self-ruled island was based on territorial integrity. If that were the case, Beijing would also be pushing to reclaim other historic lands that once belonged to the Chinese empire.
China’s government responded by saying President Lai was escalating tensions with “sinister intentions,” stating that Lai Ching-te’s Taiwan independence fallacy is just old wine in a new bottle.
Lai succeeded Taiwan’s previous president Tsai Ing-wen, who also came from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). His public comments until now are regarded by many political observers as going further than anything said by his predecessor, who was much more cautious in her public speeches.
Despite his administration’s more confrontational tone, Lai has stressed his position of maintaining the “status quo” between Taiwan and China. He insists Taiwan has no need to declare independence because it is already an independent sovereign nation that has never been controlled by the People’s Republic of China.
(BBC)
