TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday said Taiwan is willing to engage in exchanges with China based on equality, but firmly rejects efforts that use peace as a cover for unification.
Lai delivered remarks at the Presidential Office on Wednesday morning, marking the second anniversary of his administration, per CNA. He was accompanied by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an (潘孟安).
Lai said maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and preventing external forces from changing the status quo are national strategic goals. He added that Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community and “not a destabilizer."
He said that over the past 30 years of direct presidential elections, the people of Taiwan have repeatedly shown the world through their votes that: “We cherish peace, but will not give up our freedom. We are willing to engage in dialogue, but will not accept subordination. We pursue stability, but will not sacrifice our sovereignty or our democratic way of life.”
Lai stressed that, “This is Taiwan's bottom line, and this is where we definitively stand before the world.”
