Taiwan's Lai rejects China pressure, pledges strong defense

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by foreign forces and cannot be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term interests. He vowed to boost defense spending to ensure Taiwan can protect itself and uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Lai said no country has the right to annex Taiwan and that Taiwan’s democratic and free way of life should not be treated as provocation. He responded to comments from Donald Trump about using arms sales as leverage, saying Beijing undermines peace and raises regional tensions. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office urged Taiwanese people to work with Beijing for stability and called for a future of reunification and national rejuvenation.

"“Taiwan's future cannot be decided by foreign forces, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term interests,” Lai said in a speech marking the second year of his presidency. “Taiwan must have the capability to protect itself and to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” Beijing claims the self-ruled island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to seize it."

"“No country has the right to annex Taiwan. The people of Taiwan pursue a democratic and free way of life, and democracy and freedom should not be regarded as provocation,” Lai said. He said he would stress that Beijing was undermining peace and raising tensions in the region if he got the chance to speak with Trump."

"Recently, President Donald Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News that US arms sales to Taiwan could be used as leverage in negotiations with Beijing following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump also suggested he might call Lai. Lai said if given the opportunity to speak with Trump, he would stress that Beijing was undermining peace and raising tensions in the region."

"Meanwhile, China's Taiwan Affairs Office urged Taiwanese people to work with Beijing to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese governmental body called for creation a future of “reunification and national rejuvenation.” Beijing calls for reunification while Taiwan maintains its separate democratic governance."

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