China calls Lai a “separatist” and has rebuffed his multiple offers for talks. Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
“I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams nor illusions,“ he said.
“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.”
“No matter what the leaders of the Taiwan region say or how they say it, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China ... nor can it stop the inevitable trend of national reunification,“ the office’s spokesperson Chen Binhua said in a statement.
Lai also faces a challenge from possible U.S. tariffs, currently on pause, and said talks with Washington were continuing “smoothly”.
“The government will set up a sovereign fund to create a national investment platform, making full use of Taiwan’s industrial strengths, led by the government, in collaboration with the strengths of private enterprises,“ Lai said, without giving details.
Lai visited the booths of Nvidia suppliers and partners, including Foxconn (2317.TW) and Mediatek (2454.TW), chatting with senior executives there.
China called its May 2024 drills just after Lai took office “Joint Sword-2024A”, and in October of that year staged “Joint Sword-2024B”.
In a daily report detailing Chinese military activities, Taiwan’s defence ministry said in the past 24 hours it had detected six Chinese planes and 11 vessels near the island.
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