The name and logo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building in Taipei, photo undated. Photo: Central News Agency
'Equality': The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not affiliated with each other. This is the consensus of Taiwanese people. Only Taiwanese people can decide Taiwan's future, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
By Huang Qingxuan, Chen Yun/Staff Reporter
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Taiwan yesterday called on China to stop its hostile rhetoric against Taiwan, while the United States welcomed President William Lai's commitment to stability across the Taiwan Strait in his National Day speech.
Lai on Saturday described Taiwan as a "city on a hill" and said "Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up freedom. We welcome exchanges, but we will not accept subordination."
China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Lai's speech "ignored the facts, distorted the truth, misled the public, and exposed hidden motives."
Taiwan is part of China and its future "must be decided jointly by all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan," it added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (MOFA) said China has no right to determine Taiwan's future and called on Beijing to stop hostile rhetoric that could increase cross-strait tensions and to abandon the use of force or coercion to change the "status quo" in the Taiwan Strait.
The Republic of China (ROC) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) exist as equals and are not subordinate to each other. This is a fact recognized by the international community and a consensus among Taiwanese people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
Taiwan's future can only be determined by its 23 million people, and China has no right to interfere, the foreign ministry added.
"Taiwan will continue to cooperate with democratic partners around the world and is committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, supporting Taiwan's sustainable development, and maintaining peace, stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the region," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said that the United States welcomes Lai Ching-te's commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in his National Day speech.
In addition, Richard Bush, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, said he was deeply impressed by the moderate tone adopted by Lai Ching-te when discussing cross-strait relations in his speech.
Lai was taking a pragmatic view of potential threats while keeping the dialogue open, he said.
In Taipei, Chen Shimin (陈世民), an associate professor at the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University, said yesterday that Lai's speech reflected three main principles: maintaining stability, expressing a clear position, and reaffirming Taiwan's commitment to maintaining peace.
The speech also did not provide Beijing with any excuse to militarily coerce or provoke Taiwan, he said.
Lai said Taiwan "welcomes dialogue between the United States and China to manage competition and reduce the risk of conflict and war." This clearly shows that Taiwan welcomes dialogue between the United States and China, he added.
The president once again emphasized that Taiwan is the guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and that strengthening national defense capabilities is not a provocation, but to deter war. This also shows that Taiwan will not be the first to use force, and that it opposes all forms of violence, Chen Shimin said.
This refutes China's claim that "Taiwan is a disruptor or provocateur for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
Chinese President Xi Jinping (Xi Jinping) said during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last month that China and the United States fought together against Japan in World War II, Chen Shimin said.
Lai Ching-te clarified in his speech that it was the Republic of China government that fought alongside the United States during the war, he added.
The president also elaborated on Taiwan's economic achievements, with data showing that as Taiwan's reliance on China has decreased, its economy has flourished and become more connected to the world, Chen Shimin said.
Cai Rongxiang (Cai Rongxiang), a professor at the Department of Political Science at National Sun Yat-sen University, said that Lai Qingde's speech reaffirmed the definition of peace, corrected historical facts, and established partnerships with the international community.
Lai emphasized that peace must be maintained through strength and provided a clearer definition: developing asymmetric weapons, enhancing national defense capabilities, and aligning with the joint forces of Indo-Pacific countries, he said.
News source: Taipei Times
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