Taiwan's Stance on Cross-Strait Relations
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te marked his first anniversary in office on Tuesday by emphasizing Taiwan's desire for peace and dialogue with China, while also stressing the necessity of strengthening the island's defenses[1].
During his address, President Lai reiterated that war between Taiwan and China would have no winners, highlighting his administration's consistent position on cross-strait relations[1]. This message echoes his earlier statements from his New Year's address in January 2025, when he expressed openness to exchanges with China while questioning Beijing's goodwill[2].
Questioning China's Intentions
The Taiwan president has pointed to China's continued restrictions on Chinese citizens who wish to visit Taiwan for education and tourism as evidence that Beijing may not be genuinely interested in meaningful cross-strait dialogue[2]. These observations form part of his broader assessment of China's approach to Taiwan.
Defense Measures
While advocating for peace, President Lai has not neglected Taiwan's security needs. In March 2025, he announced 17 specific measures designed to combat China's attempts to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty and create discord among the Taiwanese public[5]. These measures include:
- Reforms to military law
- Stricter regulations on mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, and Macao citizens seeking to settle in Taiwan
- Initiatives to raise awareness about the risks of traveling to China
- Collaborative efforts with allies to publicize Taiwan's strong national will[5]
Taiwan's Democratic Path
Throughout his tenure, President Lai has consistently urged Taiwanese citizens to remain committed to the path of democracy. Despite geopolitical tensions with China and domestic challenges including a fractured legislature, Lai maintains that Taiwan's values of freedom and democracy—which have earned the island global trust—represent the only way forward[2].
The president's stance reflects Taiwan's broader position that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, a fact that external pressure cannot change[4].
