Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China as war has no winners, but the government must continue to strengthen Taiwan's defenses, President William Lai (賴清德) said today as he completed one year in office.
China calls Lai a "separatist" and has rebuffed his multiple offers for talks. Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over Taiwan, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
A government spokesperson said last week that Taiwan could not rule out the possibility that China could mark the anniversary with military drills.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Speaking to reporters at the presidential office in Taipei, Lai said Taiwan's people loved 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 nor illusions," he said.
Taiwan is to continue to strengthen its defences as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, Lai added.
"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 Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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.
Last month, China held war games codenamed "Strait Thunder-2025A" around Taiwan, the "A" at its end suggesting there could be more to come.
China called its May drills last year just after Lai took office "Joint Sword-2024A," and in October later that year staged "Joint Sword-2024B."
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