Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the country must prepare for war and strengthen its defences, the island’s president Lai Ching-Te said on Tuesday, in an address marking his one year in office.
Offering a message of peace at a time the self-governed island prepared for China’s drills across the Taiwan Strait, Mr Lai said: “I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winner. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams nor illusions.”
China has termed Mr Lai a “dangerous separatist” who will bring “war and decline” to the island which it claims as a breakaway province. China has also rejected Mr Lai’s multiple offers for talks to address the differences.
Mr Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims over the democratic and entirely separately governed island, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and president Xi Jinping wants to “reunify” the island with the mainland, by force if necessary. The Taiwanese people largely favour the status quo which gives them de facto independence.
“Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defence as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it,” Mr Lai said as he marked a year in office and spoke to reporters at the presidential office in central Taipei.
“I also reiterate here – Taiwan is happy to have exchanges and cooperation with China as long as there is reciprocal dignity. Using exchanges to replace hemming in, dialogue to replace confrontation,” he said.
Credit: INDEPENDENT