President Tsai Ing-wen called for peaceful cross-strait coexistence and stability in the Indo-Pacific region during a National Day address Saturday.
During the speech, Tsai said she hopes that promises made by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s during the recent UN General Assembly debates will mark the start of genuine change. During the debates, Xi publicly stated that China will never seek hegemony, expansion, or a sphere of influence.
Tsai said Taiwan will not act rashly but will uphold its principles. She said that maintaining stability in cross-strait relations is in the best interests of both sides. The president also said Taiwan is committed to upholding cross-strait stability, but that doing so is the equal responsibility of both sides.
Tsai also said that democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific are currently faced with serious challenges. She said countries in the region have forged alliances to ensure that their national security and democratic systems are not affected by external influences. She said this has already caused unprecedented changes in the region. Tsai said that Taiwan must turn this testing state of affairs into a historic opportunity.
She said that Taiwan’s commitment to sovereignty and democratic values will not change, but that Taiwan will also maintain strategic flexibility and be responsive to changes. The president said that as circumstances change, Taiwan must implement advance preparation in order to avoid being swept up in the current of events or allowing others to decide Taiwan’s fate.
News Source：RTI
Editor：Shirley Lin
Source: RTI
