Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has firmly reiterated the island’s sovereignty following criticism from China over President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech. The ministry emphasized that Taiwan and China operate as separate entities and highlighted that the future of Taiwan should be determined by its 23 million citizens, thus rejecting any interference from Beijing in its political affairs.
In response to China’s accusations that President Lai’s address could heighten cross-strait tensions and threaten regional peace, Taiwan called on China to respect the political differences between the two sides. This includes acknowledging Taiwan’s democratic system. Taiwan urged Beijing to halt any actions that could escalate tensions or attempts to alter the status quo through the use of force.
The ministry reaffirmed Taiwan’s dedication to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as well as throughout the broader Indo-Pacific region. It also highlighted Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening collaborations with democratic partners worldwide to safeguard its sovereignty and support its long-term development.