Lai seeks peace with China, promises to boost defence

Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he completed one year in office.

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Taiwan is prepared to talk to China as equals but will continue to build up its defences, the island's President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he marked his first year in office.

Lai, a staunch defender of Taiwan's sovereignty and detested by Beijing, delivered remarks on the need “to prepare for war to avoid war” and also bolster the island's economic resilience.

After promising to stand up to China and defend democracy at his inauguration, Lai insisted Taiwan was “willing” to communicate with Beijing if there was “parity and dignity.”

China said on Tuesday it was “willing to engage in dialogue” with Taiwan but on condition.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, also slammed Lai’s “separatist position” that promoted “economic decoupling” across the Taiwan Strait, according to CCTV.

Lai called peace “priceless” in his speech but added, “we cannot have illusions” and vowed to continue strengthening defence.

Taiwan will “actively cooperate with international allies, shoulder to shoulder to exert the power of deterrence, to prepare for war to avoid war, and to achieve the goal of peace,” Lai told journalists.