TAIPEI (TVBS News) － President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday (Oct. 10) that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait was the basis for the development of cross-strait relations.
Speaking in front of the Presidential Office in a speech to mark the National Day of the Republic of China, President Tsai added that war between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is "absolutely not an option," while stressing Taiwan's plan to develop "comprehensive asymmetric warfare capabilities."
"The broadest consensus among the Taiwanese people and our various political parties is that we must defend our national sovereignty and our free and democratic way of life," she said. "On this point, we have no room for compromise."
The president also warned that Beijing authorities should not make "any misjudgment" because of Taiwan's vigorous democratic system.
"They must not mistake that there is room for compromise in the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy and freedom, and thus attempt to divide Taiwanese society by exploiting the fierce competition between our political parties," she continued.
This statement was also directed to the chairmen of the opposition parties attending the annual celebrations.
"This way of thinking and acting is of no benefit to cross-strait relations and will only push our two sides further from each other," she said, adding "I want to make clear to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides."
Despite the lack of interaction between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, President Tsai used her National Day address to reiterate her willingness to talk to China. "Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait," she went on.
The president stressed that Taiwan is looking forward to the "gradual resumption" of "healthy and orderly cross-strait people-to-people exchanges" after the loosening of border restrictions on both sides, thereby "easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait."
Following her "four commitments" announced during her National Day address last year, President Tsai announced four steps to building a tougher nation.
"The Republic of China (Taiwan) has become an important global symbol of democracy and freedom," she explained. "The international community fully understands that upholding Taiwan’s security means upholding regional stability and democratic values."
"The destruction of Taiwan's democracy and freedom would be a grave defeat for the world's democracies," she said. "The Republic of China (Taiwan) has become an important global symbol of democracy and freedom.
The international community fully understands that upholding Taiwan's security means upholding regional stability and democratic values," she added.
"The destruction of Taiwan's democracy and freedom would be a grave defeat for the world's democracies." Against this backdrop, the president remarked it was "regrettable" that China had escalated its intimidation and threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and region.
Yet, the president laid out her vision to build a resilient nation, starting with the economy and industry, social safety net, free and democratic government system, and national defense.
