Translation result
[Herald Economy reporter Jeong Mok-hee] China condemned President Lai Ching-te’s two-year-in-office address as an “attempt at independence,” but Lai pushed back, saying, “Taiwan is already a sovereign, independent country.”
According to the Liberty Times and other Taiwanese outlets on the 21st, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng said Lai made the remarks at the 67th meeting of the party’s 21st Central Standing Committee the day before.
Lai, who also serves as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said, “The 20th marks the historic inauguration day that, 30 years ago, saw Taiwanese elect their president and vice president by popular vote for the first time.”
He added, “Direct presidential elections not only embody popular sovereignty but also concretely demonstrate that the people are the owners of the nation,” saying this is a clear expression of Taiwan’s identity.
Lai stressed, “Whether you call Taiwan the Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), or simply Taiwan, it is already a sovereign, independent country.”
He said he had met that morning with figures who led Taiwan’s democratization and the push for direct presidential elections, including Yao Chia-wen, a presidential adviser; Hsu Hsin-liang, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Peace Research Foundation; and Yu Shyi-kun, a former president of the Legislative Yuan.
Lai credited the democracy pioneers who risked their lives in difficult and dangerous times for Taiwan’s current prosperity and development.
“As challenges and threats from China rise, my responsibilities grow as well,” he said.
He vowed to follow the footsteps of those democratic predecessors, uphold Taiwanese values, and continue defending democratic and free institutions to strengthen the country and its economy.
Dong Liyuan, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Peace Research Foundation, said Lai’s call to “maintain the status quo for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait” echoes U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statements that he favors maintaining the status quo and does not want war over Taiwan.
Dong added that such statements are the last thing Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to hear, warning, “Xi should be the one on alert.”
He noted that Trump’s December signing of the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act to deepen ties with Taiwan, along with the ongoing approval process for a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan (about 21 trillion KRW (15.75 billion USD)), demonstrate that U.S.-Taiwan relations remain rock-solid.
Dong said he expects U.S.-Taiwan relations to develop positively if, at a U.S.-China summit, President Trump avoids promising anything to Xi and continues direct communication with Taiwan’s leaders.
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