By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard
TAIPEI (Reuters) -China has no proper to symbolize Taiwan, however the island is prepared to work with Beijing to fight challenges like local weather change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te mentioned on Thursday, putting each a agency and a conciliatory tone, drawing anger from China.
Lai, who took workplace in Could after being elected in January, is detested by China, which calls him a “separatist”. Beijing claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its personal territory, a view Lai and his authorities reject.
Giving a keynote nationwide tackle exterior the presidential workplace in Taipei, Lai reiterated that the Republic of China – the island’s formal identify – and the Folks’s Republic of China are “not subordinate to each other”.
“On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People’s Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan,” he mentioned.
Taiwan’s willpower to defend its sovereignty, preserve peace within the Taiwan Strait and search equal and dignified talks with China all stay unchanged, Lai added.
“I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” Lai mentioned.
However he additionally held out a proposal of cooperation with China.
“We are willing to work with China on addressing climate change, combating infectious diseases, and maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.”
In Beijing, China’s overseas ministry rejected Lai’s overtures, saying that Taiwan has “no so-called sovereignty”, as it’s a part of China, and that Lai had sought to “deliberately sever” the historic connection between the 2.
“It again exposed his stubborn stance of Taiwan independence and sinister intention of increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait to seek political gain,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning instructed a daily information briefing.
Lai added that he hoped China may reside as much as the worldwide neighborhood’s expectations, and apply its affect and work with different international locations towards ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts within the Center East.
“And we hope that it will take up its international responsibilities and, along with Taiwan, contribute to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe,” he mentioned.
MILITARY DRILLS
Taiwanese and Western officers have warned China may stage extra army drills in response to his speech.
A senior official within the Taiwanese presidential workplace, briefing reporters after the speech, mentioned Lai had prolonged an olive department to China and used a “positive narrative” when describing the federal government in Beijing.
It was not Taiwan who was frightening or looking for to vary the established order, and China didn’t want an excuse for army exercise, the official mentioned, talking on situation of anonymity.
“They are ready and waiting,” the official mentioned, including that Taiwan is watching the scenario intently.
China has no justification for utilizing Lai’s speech as a pretext for army stress, america, Taiwan’s most vital worldwide backer regardless of the absence of diplomatic ties, mentioned on Wednesday.
Lai has repeatedly supplied talks with Beijing however has been rebuffed. He says solely Taiwan’s individuals can resolve their future.
Lai additionally praised Taiwan’s range, highlighting Nymphia Wind, the primary East Asian to take the crown in RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Olympic gold medallist Lin Yu-ting, one in all two boxers on the centre of a gender dispute at this yr’s Paris Olympics.
“The people of Taiwan are diverse, and they are fearless. Our own Nymphia Wind is a queen on the world stage. The people of Taiwan are truly courageous. Lin Yu-ting, a daughter of Taiwan, is a queen of the boxing world,” he mentioned.
