On completion of one year in office, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-Te on Tuesday said the nation wants peace and dialogue with Beijing, but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences in case of a possible all-out confrontation with China.
Though China has out rightly denied holding any negotiations with those it calls “separatist leaders,” Lai has refuted Beijing’s sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwanese people have the right to decide their future.
The government has warned that Beijing could mark the anniversary with military drills, but speaking to reporters at the presidential office in central Taipei, Lai offered a message of peace.
"I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams or illusions," he said.
In terms of geopolitics and geostrategic importance, Taiwan is crucial for Beijing as it views the territory as inseparable from mainland China.
Additionally, peace talks from Taiwan have reaffirmed Beijing’s supremacy over the island, as it has already carried out several mock drills depicting how China aims to annex the territory with World War II blitzkrieg technique made famous by Nazi Germany.
Meanwhile, Lai said, Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defences, as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it.
"I also reiterate here - Taiwan is happy to have exchanges and cooperation with China as long as there is reciprocal dignity. Using exchanges to replace hemming in, dialogue to replace confrontation."
China's defence ministry last week said Lai was a "Taiwan Strait crisis maker" who had increased antagonism and confrontation and undermined peace and stability.
Lai also faces a challenge from possible US tariffs, currently on pause, and said talks with Washington were continuing "smoothly."
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China called its May 2024 drills just after Lai took office "Joint Sword-2024A" and in October of that year staged "Joint Sword-2024B."
In a daily report detailing Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defence ministry said in the past 24 hours it had detected six Chinese planes and 11 vessels near the island.
Experts see war coming to Taiwan before the end of 2030 and also think this could happen in one or two years.
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