Taiwanese president ``defends status quo'', criticizes China, gives speech at ceremony

[Taipei Current Affairs] Taiwanese President Lai Ching-toku gave a speech on the 10th at a ceremony to mark the ``Ten Ten Festivals'' (corresponding to the founding day of the Republic of China) held in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei. He criticized China's increasing military coercion, saying it was "trying to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait," and declared, ``We will continue to protect the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific.'' It also indicated a policy to continue strengthening its defense capabilities.

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In his speech, Mr. Lai once again made clear his position of ``maintaining the status quo,'' neither calling for Taiwan's independence nor unification. This is because Taiwanese public opinion and the Trump administration support the current situation. Meanwhile, China's Xi Jinping administration, which aims to unify Taiwan, is wary of entrenching the status quo and views Mr. Lai as an enemy, calling him a ``Taiwanese independence advocate.''

Mr. Yori explained that the administration's efforts to increase defense spending are ``not a provocation, but a deterrent to war.'' He appealed to democracies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, "to join forces. We must not allow the status quo to change."

Although some criticized China by name, the overall tone was a restrained stance toward China. The U.S. and China leaders are scheduled to hold another meeting within the year, and President Trump's emphasis on the mood for dialogue may have had an impact. "We welcome the United States and China to manage competition through dialogue and reduce the risk of conflict and war," Lai said.