Taiwan has urged China to stop its hostile rhetoric toward Taipei and abandon the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, after President William Lai reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to peace and freedom in his Double Ten National Day address, according to a report by Taipei Times. Lai described Taiwan as a “city upon a hill” in his speech and said that Taiwan cherishes peace but would not give up its freedom. He also said Taiwan remained open to exchanges with China but would not accept subordination, the Taipei Times report said. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticized Lai’s remarks, accusing him of disregarding facts, distorting the truth and misleading the public.

rejected Beijing’s position
It said Taiwan is part of China and that the island’s future “can and must be decided jointly by all the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan,” according to the report. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), however, rejected Beijing’s position, saying China has no right to dictate Taiwan’s future. It urged Beijing to end rhetoric that could increase cross-strait tensions and abandon any attempt to use force or coercion to alter the status quo. MOFA said the Republic of China (ROC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) exist as equals and are not subordinate to one another.

unstainable development
It added that Taiwan’s future can only be decided by its 23 million people and that China has no right to interfere. Taiwan would continue working with democratic partners around the world to safeguard national sovereignty, support sustainable development and preserve peace, stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the wider region, the ministry said. The United States also welcomed Lai’s remarks. A US Department of State spokesperson said Washington welcomed the Taiwanese president’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in his National Day address, according to the Taipei Times.