President William Lai's (賴清德) speech on the nation yesterday received mixed reactions, with the opposition criticizing it for ringing "hollow" and "sowing division.”
Lai yesterday delivered the first of his "10 Talks on the Country" in New Taipei City. The president plans to travel to cities and counties across Taiwan on the public speech tour, which is aimed at addressing the challenges facing Taiwan and outlining the government's responses.
In yesterday's speech, Lai referenced the Treaty of San Francisco to emphasize that Taiwan has never belonged to the People's Republic of China (PRC), and said that "the PRC has never ruled Taiwan for even a single day."
Photo: CNA
The speech revealed Lai's inability to listen to public opinion, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) spokeswoman Yang Chih-yu (楊智伃) said.
"Faced with public anxiety, economic challenges and tense cross-strait relations, President Lai has been living in the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Taiwan independence universe and has never listened to public opinion," Yang said.
Lai's apparent belief that "resisting China to protect Taiwan" is the solution to everything and his support of the July 26 mass recall votes of 24 KMT lawmakers demonstrate that he is encouraging political polarization and has forgotten his responsibilities as president, Yang said.
Instead of uniting the people, consolidating power appeared to be the more likely motivation behind Lai's speech, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said.
Instead of resorting to “empty talk,” Lai should address issues people care about, such as how Taiwan is progressing in its tariff negotiations with the US and whether the country's energy supply is sufficient, Chu said.
In addition, Lai should address high housing prices, rampant scams and crime, and clarify whether his administration would continue to adopt a "confrontational" stance with China, Chu said.
The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) described Lai's speech as "astonishingly hollow."
Lai gave a long-winded historical account in his speech, but his understanding of history is "fragmented, lacking and out of touch with the public," the TPP said in a statement.
The president should focus on how Taiwan can capitalize on artificial intelligence, where he is leading the country and the substantive aspects of his governance, rather than delving into history and engaging in empty sloganeering, the TPP said.
DPP legislative caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) defended Lai's speech, saying that the president hopes to use the tour to unite the country and reaffirm Taiwan's commitment to democratic values.
"The first talk focused on the country, underscoring that only unity can ensure security," Wu said. "President Lai's intent is evident — he wants Taiwan to come together under the banner of democracy."
The talks aim to ease partisan divides in the same vein as the national security briefing Lai invited opposition leaders to, Wu said.
"Only by rallying under the idea of the nation can we find common ground, despite our differences. Nothing is more important than defending Taiwan and our democracy," she said.
Separately, DPP spokesperson Justin Chuo (卓冠廷) issued a statement responding to criticism from the KMT and the TPP.
He said that Lai, as the head of state, had extended invitations to both party chairs for a national security briefing — which they declined — and is now seeking to communicate directly with the public amid escalating international and domestic challenges.
"Yet the opposition continues to smear the initiative with baseless accusations," Chuo said. "This shows clearly that it is the leadership of the KMT and TPP who are undermining national unity for political gain."
Lai's address comes at a critical time, with global dynamics shifting rapidly, and China increasing its military activity in the Indo-Pacific region and efforts to infiltrate Taiwan, Chuo said.
"The president is determined to face these challenges head-on and lead the nation forward — that is the spirit behind the 10 Talks," Chuo said.
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