Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has reaffirmed the island’s sovereignty following criticism from China over President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech. In his address, President Lai emphasized Taiwan’s democratic values, prompting accusations from Beijing of exacerbating cross-strait tensions and threatening regional peace.
The ministry firmly stated that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to one another and underscored that the future of Taiwan should be decided by its 23 million citizens. Taiwan rejected what it described as Beijing’s interference in its political affairs and urged China to respect the political differences that exist between the two sides, particularly Taiwan’s democratic system.
Furthermore, Taiwan called on China to cease any actions that could escalate tensions or attempts to alter the status quo through force. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the Indo-Pacific region, while also pledging to strengthen ties with democratic partners worldwide.
This stance is part of Taiwan’s broader strategy to protect its sovereignty and ensure its long-term development by cooperating with international allies. The island nation continues to advocate for peace and stability, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in addressing cross-strait issues.