Taiwan welcomes efforts by the US and China to reduce the risk of war through dialogue, but they must respect the historical record of World War II and the Taiwanese people’s right to exist, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday in his Double Ten National Day address. Faced with sustained “gray zone” pressure from China, Taiwan has increased defense spending and worked to bolster society’s overall ability to defend itself by combining government and civilian capabilities, Lai said. Such efforts are not a provocation, but ensure dialogue can take place on the basis of “dignity and parity,” he said.
CH-47 Chinook and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters fly over Taipei, with the former carrying a giant Republic of China flag during Double Ten National Day celebrations in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
“We welcome the US and China managing their competition through dialogue and reducing the risk of conflict and war,” he said. “But we must also point out that maintaining regional security, peace and stability requires a correct understanding of how history has unfolded.”“There must be no tolerance for distorting the history of World War II. There must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist,” Lai said. “We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination.”
Taiwan is “going farther, step by step, with our diplomacy,” he said, citing his visit in May to Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole African ally, despite Chinese attempts to block the trip. China had pressured three African states to deny his chartered flight access to their airspace, causing a delay to his initial visit. He also cited as an example Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s (蕭美琴) June visit to Palau, another ally of Taiwan, and her speech last month at the European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy in Italy. Taiwan has worked with international partners on healthcare, agriculture, energy, technology, education and sustainable development to meet their needs, and has improved lives through those efforts, Lai said.“‘Taiwan Can Help’ is not just a slogan. It is a commitment — our willingness to share our capabilities and shoulder responsibility,” he added.