Taiwan’s President William Lai warns of persistent Chinese threat despite potential concessions
In his first address after being sworn in, Taiwan’s new President, William Lai, underscored that China’s longstanding goal of bringing Taiwan under its control remains a global security threat, even if the island meets all of Beijing’s demands.
Lai, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), extended an olive branch to China, suggesting “dialogue over confrontation” based on “parity and unity.” He proposed resuming tourism and allowing mainland Chinese students to enroll in Taiwanese institutions as initial steps towards easing tensions. This policy follows the path laid out by his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, who frequently provoked Beijing by asserting Taiwan’s de facto independence. Lai, who served as Tsai’s vice-president, is seen as her successor in terms of policy.
“Today, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas continue to shake the whole world,” Lai stated. “And China’s military actions and gray-zone coercion are considered the greatest strategic challenges to global peace and stability.”
For over seven decades, China has viewed Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually reunite with the mainland. This stance has become more rigid as Taiwan has grown increasingly democratic and critical of China’s authoritarian rule. Chinese President Xi Jinping has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve “reunification,” which he deems essential for China’s “rejuvenation.” This rhetoric has alarmed Western allies, who fear a forceful takeover could result in significant violence and economic disruption, particularly given Taiwan’s crucial role in the semiconductor industry.
William Lai caution about the shipment of weapons by China
China frequently sends military aircraft and drones around Taiwan and has been accused of conducting extensive disinformation campaigns. “As we pursue the ideal of peace, we must not harbor any delusions,” Lai cautioned. “So long as China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, all of us in Taiwan ought to understand that even if we accept the entirety of China’s position and give up our sovereignty, China’s ambition to annex Taiwan will not simply disappear.”
Lai has pledged to uphold the “four commitments” established by Tsai, including that Taiwan and China should never be subordinate to each other—a stance that Beijing rejects, as it undermines its territorial claim. Instead, China proposes a “one country, two systems” model, similar to the arrangement with Hong Kong. However, Taiwan has rejected this, citing Beijing’s erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental rights.
In his speech, Lai called for an end to “political and military intimidation” by China but avoided radical positions that could escalate tensions. He emphasized maintaining the status quo, a position also favored by the European Union and the United States, which have unofficial ties with Taiwan.
Taiwanese officials hope that the various tensions between Western allies and Beijing—including Xi’s close relationship with Vladimir Putin, unfair trade practices, and human rights abuses—will support Taiwan’s bid for greater international participation, such as in the World Health Assembly (WHA). Despite growing support, diplomatic recognition from major Western democracies remains unlikely. Lai’s inauguration was attended primarily by leaders from smaller nations like Eswatini, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, with lower-ranking officials from Western democracies present to avoid provoking Beijing.
As an alternative to full diplomatic recognition, William Lai proposed strengthening international cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence, climate change, and regional security. He also advocated for bilateral investment agreements, an idea supported by the European Parliament but not the European Commission.
“By standing side-by-side with other democratic countries, we can form a peaceful global community that can demonstrate the strength of deterrence and prevent war, achieving our goal of peace through strength,” Lai said.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by approximately 20,000 people according to government estimates, featured performances highlighting Taiwan’s cultural diversity and artistic creativity.
