TAIWAN: Leading Taiwanese presidential contender William Lai stated on Wednesday that if elected, he could maintain peace with China by pledging to strengthen defences and expressing his desire to engage in negotiations without restrictions.
William Lai, who currently serves as Taiwan’s vice president and is representing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has consistently held a significant lead in various opinion polls leading up to the January election. It’s important to note that President Tsai Ing-wen is ineligible to run for a third term as she has already served two terms in office.
Lai stated that despite facing military and economic challenges posed by China, such as frequent aerial incursions near Taiwan, his primary focus remained on being practical and steadfast.
“I will support the cross-strait status quo, which is in the best interests of both the Republic of China, as Taiwan is formally known, and the international community. I will never rule out the possibility of dialogue without preconditions, based on the principles of reciprocity and dignity,” he further added.
Lai stated that he will carry out Tsai’s strategy to strengthen Taiwan’s defences, including spending more on the military, and added that these actions lessen the likelihood of war by increasing the risks and expenses for Beijing.
In particular, he noted, “I will seek greater cooperation with partners and allies in training, force restructuring, civil defence, and information sharing.”
Lai is anticipated to visit the United States next month, per diplomatic sources, as presidential contenders traditionally do, to present and discuss their policy agenda. The United States holds significant importance as Taiwan’s primary supporter and provider of military equipment.
Despite Tsai’s repeated attempts to engage in dialogue with China, her offers have consistently been rejected. Beijing considers her a proponent of separatism due to her refusal to acknowledge the Chinese perspective that Taiwan and China are part of a unified “one China.” Tsai is adamant that only Taiwan’s citizens should decide the country’s future.
Lai infuriated China in 2018 when he was premier, saying before parliament that he was a “Taiwan independence worker” and that his opinion was that Taiwan was a sovereign, independent nation, which Beijing considered unacceptable.
Tsai and Lai affirm that the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, has already attained independent statehood, even though it has received formal recognition from only 13 nations.
The defeated republican government sought refuge in Taiwan in 1949, following their defeat in a civil war against Mao Zedong’s communists, who established the People’s Republic of China.
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