After Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged China to cease its threats and respect Taiwan’s will, China interpreted his remarks as an attempt to “incite division,” according to Taiwan News.
In his inauguration speech on Monday, President Lai Ching-te called on China to stop its political and military intimidation of Taiwan and to collaborate in maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Addressing thousands of citizens and over 500 foreign dignitaries, Lai said, “I want to urge China to stop intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily, and to take on the global responsibility with Taiwan to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, to ensure the world is without fear of war,” reported CNA.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) noted that Lai’s speech included an overture to Beijing, expressing willingness for dialogue and exchanges, as reported by Taiwan News. Lai proposed resuming bilateral tourism and allowing Chinese students to study in Taiwan as initial steps.
MAC further urged China to respond positively to Lai’s “goodwill gesture” to foster mutual peace and prosperity. However, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), accused Lai of sending “dangerous signals” and attempting to “incite division” and promote “separatist fallacies.” Chen also blamed Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for cross-strait tensions.
Despite not mentioning independence in his speech, Lai reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He cautioned Taiwanese citizens against harboring illusions about China. “Before China gives up using force to invade Taiwan, citizens must understand this: Even if we accept all of China’s claims and give up our sovereignty, China’s ambition to annex Taiwan will not disappear,” Lai stated.
Lai also asserted that the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, reported Taiwan News. On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized Taiwan’s new president, calling him “disgraceful,” and admonished the US, South Korea, and Japan for sending delegations to Lai’s inauguration.
Lai Ching-te, of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was sworn in as the fifth popularly elected president of Taiwan on Monday. This marks the first time the DPP will govern for a third consecutive four-year term, with Lai, 64, and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim taking office since Taiwan’s first direct presidential election in 1996. Lai and Hsiao won the January 13 election with about 40 percent of the votes, securing another four years in power for the DPP, as reported by Focus Taiwan.