Taiwan President Lai Ching-tey said Wednesday the country’s future cannot be decided by “foreign forces” and vowed to increase defense spending to prevent conflict with China.
“Taiwan’s future cannot be decided by foreign powers, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division or short-term interests,” Lai said in a speech marking the second year of his presidency. “Taiwan must have the ability to defend itself and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Beijing claims the self-ruled island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to seize it.
‘No country has the right to occupy Taiwan’
Recently, President Donald Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News that US arms sales to Taiwan could be used as leverage in negotiations with Beijing after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump also suggested he might call Lai.
Lai said that if he was given a chance to talk to Trump, he would emphasize that Beijing is undermining peace and increasing tensions in the region.
Lai said, “No country has the right to occupy Taiwan. The Taiwanese people pursue a democratic and independent way of life, and democracy and independence should not be seen as a provocation.”
There have been no direct, public talks between the leaders of the two countries since Washington transferred diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
Beijing calls for ‘reunification’
Meanwhile, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office urged Taiwanese people to work with Beijing to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The Chinese government body called for a future of “reunification and national rejuvenation”.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico