Ahead of his first anniversary in office, President Lai Ching-te called on China to reconsider its policies toward Taiwan. In a recent interview on Mindi World News’ YouTube channel, he voiced concerns about China’s increasingly aggressive stance. He urged China to rethink its approach to Taiwan for the sake of regional peace and stability.
Lai, the Democratic Progressive Party candidate who won the January 2024 presidential election and was sworn in on May 20, 2024, highlighted how tensions have escalated over the past year. He questioned whether China’s current path truly benefits its own interests. According to Lai, Taiwan remains a society built on goodwill, and a more constructive attitude from China would foster better relations.
Moreover, Lai pointed out that the United States has labeled China as its most significant threat. As a result, the US plans to shift its strategic focus toward the Indo-Pacific region. This move aims to counterbalance China’s expanding influence. Lai wondered if this outcome actually aligns with China’s goals. He suggested that, since this is likely not what China wants, it should reconsider its Taiwan policies.
In addition, Lai criticized Beijing’s ongoing defense spending increases. He said these investments aim to project power into the Western Pacific and to challenge the rules-based international order championed by the US. He noted that international summits and conferences consistently stress the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Furthermore, Lai emphasized that the Taiwan Strait issue is not only a bilateral matter but also a global concern. He expressed confidence that Taiwan’s strategic importance will lead to a positive outcome in upcoming tariff negotiations with the US. He recalled how the previous US administration valued the Indo-Pacific region’s stability, which prevented the imposition of damaging high tariffs.
Ultimately, President Lai urged China to reconsider its policies toward Taiwan. He stressed that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remain essential, not only for the region but for the world. The repeated call for China to reconsider its Taiwan policies highlights the need for dialogue and de-escalation in an increasingly tense environment.
