Taiwan has reaffirmed its sovereignty in response to criticism from China over President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other, stressing the importance of the island’s 23 million people in determining Taiwan’s future. This statement comes after China accused President Lai of escalating cross-strait tensions and undermining regional peace.
The ministry rejected Beijing’s interference in Taiwan’s political matters and called on China to respect the political differences between the two sides. It highlighted Taiwan’s democratic system and urged China to cease actions that could heighten tensions or alter the status quo through force.
In its response, Taiwan reiterated its commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The ministry also expressed its intention to bolster cooperation with democratic partners globally to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty and support its ongoing development.