Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has reiterated the island’s sovereignty in the wake of criticism from China regarding President Lai Ching-te’s National Day speech. The ministry emphasized that Taiwan and China operate as separate entities and that the future of Taiwan should be decided by its 23 million residents, rejecting any interference from Beijing in its political affairs.
In response to China’s accusations that President Lai’s remarks heightened cross-strait tensions and threatened regional peace, Taiwan called on China to acknowledge and respect their political differences, which include Taiwan’s democratic system. The ministry urged Beijing to cease actions that could exacerbate tensions or alter the status quo through force.
Taiwan underscored its commitment to preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region. It also expressed its intention to bolster cooperation with democratic countries globally to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty and support its long-term growth.