Taiwan Vice President Promises to Stand Firm in the Face of Authoritarian Threats
TAIPEI, Aug 14 – Taiwan’s Vice President, William Lai, has stated that the island will not be intimidated by authoritarian threats and will continue to uphold the values of democracy and freedom, despite condemnations from Beijing. Lai made these remarks during a supporters’ luncheon while on a visit to the United States, a trip that China has strongly criticized. Lai, who is also the frontrunner for Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election, is currently en route to Paraguay for the inauguration of its new president, a country that retains formal ties with Taiwan among only 13 nations.
Both Taiwan and the United States have insisted that Lai’s U.S. stopovers, including one in San Francisco on his way back, are routine. However, China has labeled Lai as a separatist “troublemaker” and expressed displeasure over these visits. China considers Taiwan its most important diplomatic issue and tensions between Beijing and Washington over the island remain high, with the United States being Taiwan’s most significant international backer and arms supplier.
During the luncheon in New York on Sunday, Lai emphasized the global significance of Taiwan’s security and peace. “If Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful,” Lai stated, according to Taiwan’s presidential office. He further asserted that Taiwan would not yield to the threat of authoritarianism and would stand up for its principles of democracy and freedom.
China has long been critical of Lai, who has previously identified as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence.” China’s aversion to Taiwan’s independence aspirations is firm, and Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.
While reiterating his commitment to maintaining peace and stability, Lai expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with China on the basis of dignity and parity. However, he also emphasized the importance of protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty, noting that the decision on Taiwan’s future rests solely with its people. Furthermore, Lai emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan’s formal name) and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.
Lai’s speech was attended by Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, an organization that facilitates unofficial relations between the United States and Taiwan. In an effort to avoid provoking China, both Taipei and Washington have sought to keep Lai’s U.S. stopovers low-key, while urging China not to take any aggressive actions in response.
Nevertheless, Taiwanese officials have expressed concerns that China may conduct military drills near Taiwan this week, using Lai’s visit as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of next year’s elections and instill fear of war. In fact, on Monday, China’s Eastern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army posted images on its WeChat account showing troops practicing beach landings, though it did not specify the location or mention Taiwan explicitly.
China had previously carried out war games around Taiwan in April this year after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the United States, where she met with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. These military exercises served as a show of force by Beijing in response to perceived U.S. support for Taiwan.
Ben Blanchard reporting; Editing by Lincoln Feast
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