JAKARTA – President Lai Ching-te said Friday that peace across the Taiwan Strait would benefit the entire world, as the international community believes without it there would be no prosperity or security.
Speaking to new recruiters at a military base in the central Taiwan city, President Lai said every drop of sweat goes to protecting Taiwan’s security.
“The international community currently believes that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are necessary components for global security and prosperity,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the United States, Japan, South Korea or the European Union, and heads of state or prime ministers of many countries, they all agree regarding this, against any country that uses force to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” President Lai added.
China, which democratically regards Taiwan as its own territory, has increased pressure on President Hajj, whom it regards as a “separatist”, holding two-day military exercises around the island after he took office last month.
Over the past four years, the Chinese military has significantly stepped up its activities in the narrow strait, a major international shipping lane, and has regularly flown fighter jets and operated warships.
Over the past week, Taiwan reported detecting a total of 203 Chinese military aircraft operating nearby, approaching a maritime distance of 31 nautical miles (57 km) from the island, according to details provided by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense. Defense.
Last week, China threatened to prosecute those it considers “firmly leading” defenders of Taiwan’s independence and to execute people in the most serious cases, prompting Taiwan to warn its citizens to ‘avoid the country.
President Lai himself has repeatedly offered negotiations with China, but has been rejected. He has rejected Beijing’s claims of sovereignty, saying only the Taiwanese can decide their future.
“All our efforts are for the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, for the security of Taiwan and for a system of democracy, freedom and sustainable economic development,” he said.
“Peace across the Taiwan Strait promotes world peace,” President Lai said.
As is known, Taiwan will hold its annual Han Kuang military drills next month. This year’s exercises will be as close to real combat as possible, given what officials see as a growing threat from the curtain country.
Tag: international taiwan china china and taiwan conflict lai ching-te
