Taipei: Taiwanese President Lai Ching te has said the island wants peace with China but will not give up its freedom, as he urged democracies in the Indo Pacific to work together to maintain regional stability amid continuing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Speaking at Taiwan’s National Day celebrations in Taipei on Saturday, Lai defended his government’s increased investment in defence and said strengthening the island’s military capabilities was intended to deter war, not provoke conflict. He stressed that dialogue with Beijing must take place on the basis of equality and dignity.
“Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up our freedom. We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination,” Lai said.
He also welcomed dialogue between the United States and China as a way to manage their differences and reduce the risk of conflict. However, he called on democracies across the Indo Pacific to work together to ensure that force does not change the regional situation.
Lai said Taiwan’s security was connected to a wider international principle that powerful countries should not be allowed to override rules or deny people the right to determine their own future. He maintained that Taiwan wanted peace while preserving its democratic system and ability to defend itself.
The speech came amid continuing Chinese military and political pressure on Taiwan. China considers the island part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Taiwan, which has its own elected government and armed forces, rejects Beijing’s claim to govern the island.
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported 21 sorties by Chinese military aircraft, seven Chinese navy ships and two official vessels operating around the island during the 24 hour period ending at 6 am on Saturday. It said 13 of the aircraft sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s northern, central and southwestern air defence identification zone.
An air defence identification zone is an area where authorities monitor and identify aircraft approaching their territory. It is not the same as sovereign airspace, and entry into such a zone does not automatically mean an aircraft has entered a country’s airspace.
The United States has also expressed concern about Chinese maritime activity near Taiwan’s east coast. The US State Department described the recent actions as deeply destabilising and urged Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue with its democratically elected government.
Taiwanese officials suspect that increased Chinese coast guard patrols and activity involving civilian and paramilitary vessels could be part of preparations for a possible maritime blockade. However, this remains an assessment by Taiwanese authorities rather than a confirmed Chinese plan. Taiwan’s Coast Guard has said the vessels involved in the reported activity were outside restricted waters.
The waters off Taiwan’s east coast are important because they could provide supply routes for assistance from international partners during a crisis. Any attempt to restrict access to these routes could have wider consequences for regional security and freedom of navigation.
Lai’s government has argued that stronger defence capabilities are necessary to discourage military coercion and ensure that negotiations can take place without pressure. Taiwan has continued efforts to modernise its armed forces and strengthen its ability to respond to a range of potential threats.
The president’s remarks also reflected the longstanding political dispute between Beijing and Taipei. The two sides have been governed separately since 1949, when the Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War to Communist forces on the mainland. The People’s Republic of China was established that year.
Taiwan continues to operate with its own government, military and democratic institutions. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of China and opposes moves towards formal independence. Taiwan’s leaders insist that the island’s future should be determined by its people.
The United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and supports its ability to defend itself, although Washington has not made an unconditional commitment to intervene militarily in a conflict. US policy towards Taiwan remains an important factor in relations between Washington and Beijing.
President Donald Trump has yet to approve a proposed 14 billion dollar arms package for Taiwan, according to Reuters. The delay comes as the United States continues to balance its support for Taiwan with efforts to manage its relationship with China.
Taiwan’s National Day marks the 1911 revolution that led to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China, the island’s official name. The government moved to Taiwan in 1949 following the Communist victory on the mainland.
Lai’s address did not announce a change in Taiwan’s formal political status. Instead, it reinforced his government’s position that peace requires both a willingness to engage in dialogue and the ability to resist coercion.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the speech. A senior US administration official welcomed Lai’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and said a routine speech was no justification for aggressive or coercive actions.
The extent to which Lai’s remarks will affect relations between Taiwan and China remains uncertain. For now, his message combines a rejection of political subordination with an appeal for dialogue and greater cooperation among regional democracies.
His government says it wants to avoid conflict while ensuring that Taiwan can defend itself and preserve the freedom of its people.