Following two days of Chinese military exercises near Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te extended goodwill and offered cooperation with China. The drills, seen as a response to Lai’s inauguration speech advocating for Taiwan’s independence, have heightened tensions between the two sides.
Lai, labeled a “separatist” by China, reiterated Taiwan’s rejection of Beijing’s sovereignty claims, emphasizing that Taiwan’s future should be determined by its people. He called on China to share responsibility for regional stability and expressed a desire for mutual understanding and reconciliation through cooperation.
Taiwan’s condemnation of China’s military activities underscores the ongoing strain in cross-strait relations. Incidents such as the discovery of a cardboard box with political slogans suspected to be dropped by a Chinese drone near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands further exacerbate tensions.
Despite Taiwan’s defense ministry’s report on the incident, China’s defense ministry remained silent outside of office hours. Meanwhile, Chinese military propaganda targeting Taiwan has continued, showcasing videos of rockets firing labeled “cross-strait lethality.”
The international community, including the United States, has expressed concern over the Chinese exercises, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability in the region. As tensions persist, President Lai’s efforts to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China highlight the complexity of the cross-strait relationship and the challenges ahead for both sides.
