Thu, May 16, 2024 page1

• Lai reiterates openness to China talks

  ‘ON THE FRONT LINE’: Taiwanese are at the forefront of the fight against authoritarian expansion, facing foreign disinformation and military threats, the president-elect said

  • Staff writer, with CNA
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  Taiwan is open to dialogue with China, president-elect William Lai (賴清德) told the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Tuesday, just days before he is to take office.

  “I will not rule out dialogue with China on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefits and dignity,” Lai said in a prerecorded video, adding that dialogue should be conducted “with no preconditions.”

  President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has made similar appeals for official engagement with China, to no avail.

  

  A prerecorded video shows president-elect William Lai speaking at a democracy forum in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

  Photo: CNA

  Beijing has insisted on Taipei accepting the so-called “1992 consensus” as a prerequisite for dialogue.

  The “consensus,” a term former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000, refers to a tacit understanding between the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party that both sides of the Strait acknowledge there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.

  Lai, who is to be inaugurated on Monday next week, said that his administration “will work to safeguard the status quo” in the Taiwan Strait.

  The people of Taiwan “stand at the forefront of the fight against authoritarian expansion,” as they face pressure from foreign disinformation, military threats and economic coercion, he said.

  “Despite Beijing’s efforts, the people of Taiwan have rejected authoritarianism,” he said. “China’s coercion has only strengthened our resolve to remain democratic and free.”

  In the face of those challenges, Taiwan must continue to bolster its defense capabilities and enhance its economic resilience, he said.

  “Our economic strength is crucial... The free world must prevail in the global competition in critical technological fields,” Lai said, pledging to work toward making Taiwan a “hub of the global democratic technology alliance.”

  He did not elaborate.

  Tsai, who is to step down after serving two four-year terms, also addressed the summit in a separate prerecorded video in which she said: “The people of Taiwan are more determined than ever to safeguard democracy and freedom.”

  Taiwanese have dealt with “much intensified threats and intimidation” from China on a daily basis “with resilience and courage,” Tsai said, accusing China of engaging in hacking, cyberattacks and military intrusions against Taiwan.

  “Neither threats nor coercion will shake Taiwan’s resolve to engage with the world,” Tsai said. “Taiwan and its people stand ready to strengthen cooperation with democracies around the world in all areas where we share mutual interests.”

  Partnerships Taiwan maintains with like-minded countries will be “the most effective defense of all,” she said.

  Taiwan remains ready to share its best practices on countering authoritarian influence with its partners, she said, while underlining the country’s commitment to supporting democracies around the world.

  The two-day summit, which ended yesterday, sought to bring together political, business and media leaders, as well as rights advocates to defend the values of freedom and democracy.

  Other speakers who addressed the event included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former US secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
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