TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential hopeful, Lai Ching-te, criticized the Kuomintang's (KMT) major shift in attitude towards China on Saturday (Oct. 28) evening.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Labor Supporters' Association (全國勞工後援總會), Lai emphasized the significance of national security by quoting Morris Chang, the founder of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), who once said, "We will lose everything we cherish without national security."
Lai criticized the KMT for its policy shift, changing from the initial slogans of 'counter-attack against the mainland' (反攻大陆) to advocating closer ties with China, which he stated is a 180-degree turnaround.
While emphasizing Taiwan's national security, Lai vehemently rejected the mainland's claim that the island is part of the People's Republic of China.
Lai stressed that Taiwan neither actively seeks nor fears war, and the primary goal remains "preparing for war to achieve deterrence and ensure peaceful development."