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Taiwan Cherishes Peace but Will Defend Its Freedom, Lai Says
Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, spoke at a national day event on October 10.
He said Taiwan wants peace but will not give up its freedom.
He said the people of Taiwan should be able to decide their own future.
Lai said China continues to put military pressure on Taiwan.
He argued that peace cannot come just from wishing for it.
He said Taiwan is spending more on defence to discourage a war, not start one.
Lai also said Taiwan is open to exchanges and dialogue.
He said talks should happen with both sides treated with dignity.
China calls Lai a separatist and has turned down his offers of talks.
President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan seeks peace but will not give up its freedom.
Lai said Taiwan’s people have the right to exist and determine their own future.
He argued that peace cannot rely only on wishes amid pressure from China.
Lai said higher defence investment is intended to deter war, not provoke it.
He said Taiwan is open to exchanges but rejects subordination and seeks dialogue on equal terms.
- Who
- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
- What
- Lai said Taiwan seeks peace and dialogue but will not give up its freedom, and that defence investment is meant to deter war.
- Where
- Outside the presidential office in Taipei.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the report does not specify the year.
- Why
- Lai said Taiwan faces military pressure from China and needs to protect its freedom and support dialogue on equal terms.
Taiwan’s stated position
China’s stated position
Taiwan’s status and self-determination
Taiwan’s stated position
Lai said Taiwan’s people have the right to exist and determine their own future, and that Taiwan will not give up its freedom.
China’s stated position
China views Taiwan as its own territory and calls Lai a separatist.
Defence and dialogue
Taiwan’s stated position
Lai said increased defence investment is meant to deter war and help ensure dialogue occurs on the basis of parity and dignity.
China’s stated position
China has rebuffed Lai’s offers of talks; its Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately comment on the speech.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te
- Occasion
- Taiwan’s national day speech
- Date
- Saturday, October 10; year not specified in the report
- Location
- Outside the presidential office in Taipei
- Lai’s stated position
- Taiwan cherishes peace, is open to exchanges, and will not accept subordination
- Purpose of defence investment
- Lai said it is intended to deter war, not provoke it
- China’s response
- China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment
Quotes
Lai Ching-te
President of Taiwan
“And we are strengthening our self-defence not to abandon dialogue, but to ensure that dialogue can take place on the basis of parity and dignity.”
theprint.in
theprint.in
“Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up our freedom. We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination.”
theprint.in
theprint.in
Sources
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