Any attempt to change Taiwan’s “status quo” by force or coercion cannot bring true peace, President William Lai (賴清德) said in a letter to Pope Leo XIV released by the Presidential Office yesterday.
The Vatican is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and the only one in Europe, though the Vatican has worked to improve relations with Beijing, including the appointment of Catholic bishops.
Writing to Leo in response to his Jan. 1 World Day of Peace message, Lai said he had repeatedly emphasized that democracy, peace and prosperity are Taiwan’s path forward and the country’s link with the world.
Photo: CNA
“Today, Taiwan — situated at the strategic position of the first island chain — plays a pivotal role in shaping global geopolitical developments,” he said.
“Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are crucial to the safety and well-being of people and form an essential cornerstone of global security and prosperity. I have repeatedly emphasized that democracy, peace and prosperity are Taiwan’s national path and the basis of Taiwan’s connection with the world.”
In the face of long-term military coercion and political
intimidation from “authoritarian states in the region,” Taiwan has always chosen to safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait through concrete actions, Lai said, without directly naming China.
“I firmly believe that any attempt to change Taiwan’s status quo through force or coercion cannot bring true peace,” he said.
China’s military operates near Taiwan on a daily basis in what the government says is an ongoing pressure and harassment campaign. China held its latest war games near the nation last month.
China refuses to talk to Lai, saying that he is a dangerous separatist.
In his letter, Lai also called out efforts to distort World War II treaties and the interpretation of a 1971 UN resolution, which led to Taipei losing the China seat at the global body to Beijing “in order to downgrade our sovereign status.”
Beijing says WWII documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the 1971 UN resolution give international legal backing to its sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
The government in Taipei denies these claims, saying the UN resolution makes no mention of Taiwan, and that the People’s Republic of China did not exist until the end of WWII.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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