Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of peace and dialogue with China during a press conference commemorating his first year in office. Amid increasing Chinese military maneuvers and growing domestic political tensions, Lai stated that war would yield “no winners,” reiterating Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its defenses against any potential aggression from China.
In his remarks, Lai addressed the need for open communication with Beijing, advocating for an approach that favors dialogue over confrontation. He expressed a desire for equality in conversations with Chinese leaders, highlighting that in Taiwan’s view, it is the aggressor—China—that undermines peace. Lai remarked, “I am deeply committed to peace because peace is priceless, and in war there are no winners.”
China’s official state media quickly responded to Lai’s remarks, accusing him of intentionally heightening tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Following the inauguration of Lai and his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, all communication between Taiwan and the Chinese government was severed, as China views Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party as a pro-independence group.
In the lead-up to and following Lai’s address, Taiwan noted an unusual increase in Chinese military activity, with an average of 20 aircraft and 11 naval vessels operating in Taiwan’s air defense identification zone daily. Taiwanese officials warned of potential military drills from China in the wake of Lai’s comments.
While Lai has taken a firmer stance against Chinese aggression compared to his predecessor, his anniversary speech focused more on domestic issues, including plans to reduce carbon emissions and address economic challenges rather than detailing his position on China.
The response from the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), reflected a level of cautious optimism, as it welcomed Lai’s announcement of national security briefings for party leaders. This gesture has been viewed as a potential step towards reducing political conflict within Taiwan, amidst ongoing fears related to Chinese influence and negotiations in U.S.-China relations that could affect support for Taiwan.
This Democratic Progressive government is navigating a complex political landscape, both domestically and internationally. The hope is that continued dialogue and vigilance on security issues can foster a more stable political atmosphere in Taiwan while maintaining a measured approach to relations with China.