Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China, as war has no winners, but the government must continue to strengthen the island’s defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he marked one year in office.
China calls Lai a “separatist” and has rebuffed his repeated offers for talks. Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
A government spokesperson said last week that Taiwan could not rule out the possibility that China would mark the anniversary with military drills.
Speaking to reporters at the Presidential Office in central Taipei, Lai said the Taiwanese people loved peace.
“I, too, am committed to peace, because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we can harbour neither dreams nor illusions,” he said.
Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defences, as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, Lai added.
“I also reiterate here – Taiwan is happy to have exchanges and cooperation with China as long as there is reciprocal dignity. Using exchanges to replace hemming in, dialogue to replace confrontation.”
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China’s defence ministry said last week that Lai was a “Taiwan Strait crisis-maker” who had increased antagonism and confrontation, and had undermined peace and stability.
Last month, China held war games code-named “Strait Thunder-2025A” around Taiwan, the “A” at the end suggesting there could be more to come.
China called its May 2024 drills, launched just after Lai took office, “Joint Sword-2024A”, and, in October of that year, staged “Joint Sword-2024B”.
