Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed the island’s commitment to sovereignty and regional stability following the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
In a detailed public statement posted on his Facebook account, Lai said developments from the Beijing talks had prompted widespread concern in Taiwan, particularly regarding how the issue of the island was addressed.
He noted that the United States, particularly President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had reiterated that its policy towards Taiwan remained unchanged. Lai thanked Washington for its continued attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for its support.
Lai stressed that Taiwan would continue to act responsibly in maintaining regional peace. He said the island would not provoke or escalate tensions, while making clear it would not yield under pressure.
“Taiwan will not relinquish its national sovereignty and dignity, or its democratic and free way of life,” he said, adding that safeguarding the status quo remained a core consensus among Taiwan’s 23 million people.
He described Taiwan as a “responsible party” committed to stability across the Taiwan Strait, rejecting any suggestion that it was seeking to alter the existing balance.
The Taiwanese president placed responsibility for rising tensions on Beijing, saying China had significantly increased military and political pressure in recent years.
He pointed to expanded military activity, including aircraft and naval operations near Taiwan, large-scale exercises and what he described as “grey zone coercion” across the region.
Lai said these actions posed a wider security challenge beyond Taiwan, affecting the broader Indo-Pacific and the so‑called First Island Chain. He added that China was “the root cause of undermining regional peace and stability”.
Reiterating Taiwan’s position, Lai said the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is “a sovereign and independent democratic country”.
He rejected claims that there is a “Taiwan independence issue”, arguing that the island’s current status reflects the will of its people and must be preserved.
While expressing openness to dialogue with Beijing, he said any engagement must be conducted based on “equality and dignity” and warned that attempts to pressure or coerce Taiwan under the banner of unification would not be accepted.
Lai emphasised the importance of Taiwan’s security cooperation with the United States, describing it as a key factor in maintaining regional stability.
He said arms sales under the Taiwan Relations Act provide a vital deterrent, particularly as China has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
The president added that Taiwan has also been strengthening its own defence capabilities, including increasing spending, pursuing military reform and improving resilience.
Lai also highlighted Taiwan’s strategic importance, describing it as a key hub in global supply chains and in sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
He warned that instability in the Taiwan Strait would have far-reaching consequences for global trade, economic security and international order.
“Taiwan is a core global interest,” he said, adding that peace and stability in the region “will never be sacrificed or traded away”.
In his closing remarks, Lai said Taiwan would continue to work with partners to maintain peace, while strengthening its own defences.
He said long-term stability depended on deterrence, democratic resilience and close cooperation with allies, adding that Taiwan would remain committed to contributing positively to regional and global security.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar wi...
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf...
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the str...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
A Chinese national was pulled alive from a tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, authorities said, 10 days after a wall of ice, rock and mud tore through a Himalayan valley, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving more than 5,600 missing.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Spanish authorities are preparing a new site in Ceuta to accommodate hundreds of migrants who remain on the streets following large-scale arrivals in July, local media reported Saturday.
At least two people were killed and dozens injured on Friday after an explosion at a military barracks in the Bolivian municipality of Viacha, about 30 km (20 miles) from La Paz, Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said.
The resolution, sponsored by African countries and led by Togo, passed by 164 votes to one, with six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote against it.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment