Rickin Sanklecha, Pune
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen spoke about free interaction and hopes of a peaceful coexistence with China in her National Day speech on Tuesday. She mentions seeking free and unrestricted interaction and emphasises how the Taiwanese island looks for peaceful relations with China but will be democratic for generations to come.
Taiwan having been claimed by China as its territory has been under immense political and military pressure from Beijing. Since August 2022, there have been war games with China recently conducting military drills around Taiwan.
Various measures taken by Taiwan in the last few years have been visible across its military infrastructure and activities. Tsai, after her two terms, the current one being her last as she cannot stand again in the presidential elections reflected on how repeated talks with China about having this peaceful relationship have been rejected, with them considering her ideologies as non-conformist.
In addition to this, she also commented on the international support that Taiwan has received, calling it having reached an unprecedented height. She added, “Since this is a time we can now face the world with confidence and resolve, we can also be calm and self-assured in facing China, creating conditions for peaceful coexistence and future developments across the Taiwan Strait.”
Talking about her duty to guard democracy in Taiwan and the significance of a free way of life she emphasized the relevance of unburdened and free interactions between the people of Taiwan and China.
The foreign ministry of China responded to President Tsai’s speech by calling her party, the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) the greatest threat to peace and one that seeks provocation.
While there was no immediate response from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, China stands on Taiwan’s acceptance of both China and Taiwan belonging to one state which Tsai opposed in her speech.