China can’t represent Taipei, should work with it on global challenges: Taiwan’s President Lai

TAIPEI – China has no right to represent Taiwan, but the island is willing to work with Beijing to combat global challenges such as climate change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Oct 10, striking both a firm and a conciliatory tone, drawing anger from China.

Mr Lai, who

took office in May after being elected in January

, is detested by China, which calls him a “separatist”. Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a view Mr Lai and his government reject.

Giving a keynote national address outside the presidential office in Taipei, Mr Lai reiterated that the Republic of China – the island’s formal name – and the People’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other”.

“On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan,” he said. Taiwan’s determination to defend its sovereignty, maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, and seek equal and dignified talks with China all remain unchanged, Mr Lai added.

“I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” he said.

But he also held out an offer of cooperation with China.

“We are willing to work with China on addressing climate change, combating infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.”

In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected Mr Lai’s overtures, saying that Taiwan has “no so-called sovereignty” as it is part of China and that he had sought to “deliberately sever” the historical connection between the two.

“It again exposed his stubborn stance of Taiwan independence and sinister intention of increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait to seek political gain,” ministry spokes­woman Mao Ning said during a regular news briefing.

Mr Lai said he hoped China could live up to the international community’s expectations, and apply its influence and work with other countries towards ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.

“And we hope that it will take up its international responsibilities and, along with Taiwan, contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe,” he said.

Military drills

Taiwanese and Western officials have warned that China could stage more military drills in response to his speech.

A senior official in the Taiwanese presidential office, briefing reporters after the speech, said Mr Lai had extended an olive branch to China and used a “positive narrative” when describing the government in Beijing.

It was not Taiwan that was provoking or seeking to change the status quo, and China did not need an excuse for military activity, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“They are ready and waiting,” the official said, adding that Taiwan is watching the situation closely.

China has no justification for using Mr Lai’s speech as a pretext for military pressure, the United States – Taiwan’s most important international backer despite the absence of diplomatic ties – said on Oct 9.

Mr Lai has repeatedly offered to hold talks with Beijing but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

He also praised Taiwan’s diversity, highlighting Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind, the first East Asian to take the crown in US reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Olympic gold medallist Lin Yu-ting, one of two boxers at the centre of a gender dispute at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The people of Taiwan are diverse, and they are fearless. Our own Nymphia Wind is a queen on the world stage. The people of Taiwan are truly courageous. Lin Yu-ting, a daughter of Taiwan, is a queen of the boxing world,” he said. REUTERS