Taiwan President Urges China To End Military Expansion In South And East China Seas
Taiwan urges China to stop military expansion amid rising regional tensions.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has urged China to halt its military expansion in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, calling for restraint and a shift toward peaceful engagement amid rising regional tensions. His remarks came during a reception for foreign correspondents in Taipei, where he reiterated Taiwan’s commitment to dialogue based on equality and dignity.
Lai emphasised that Taiwan remains open to exchanges and cooperation with China but stressed that such engagement must be grounded in mutual respect. He pointed to the significance of 2026 marking 30 years since Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, describing it as evidence of the island’s democratic maturity and the principle that its future is decided solely by its people.
The Taiwanese president also rejected Beijing’s position on sovereignty, stating that Taiwan is not subordinate to China and that the island’s 23 million citizens alone have the right to determine its political future. His remarks come amid continued military activity by China around Taiwan, including frequent exercises and increased patrols in surrounding waters.
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Lai further acknowledged international support for Taiwan’s position, thanking G7 leaders for reiterating their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion. The G7 statement also reaffirmed support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and emphasised that disputes in the region must be resolved peacefully through dialogue in accordance with international law.
Beijing, however, continues to assert that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force for reunification. In recent years, China has significantly expanded its military presence and drills near Taiwan, raising concerns among regional and global powers about the risk of escalation in the Taiwan Strait. Despite the growing pressure, Taiwan has maintained its stance of self-governance and democratic identity, with its leadership continuing to call for peace while reinforcing its readiness to defend its autonomy.
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