Political watchers say there is little that the Taiwanese President could say that would change Beijing’s view of him.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te waving to the crowd in Taipei on Oct 10 during celebrations to mark the 113th birthday of the Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name.
Beijing also sought to reframe Mr Lai’s characterisation of cross-strait ties, saying that the struggle against “Taiwan independence” is not over political systems, but “between unification and division”.where he repeated a line from his inauguration speech in May, that the “Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other”.
In response, a TAO spokesman said that after 1949, with the continuation of the Chinese Civil War and “external interference”, both sides of the strait fell into “a special state of long-term political confrontation, but Taiwan has always been a part of China’s territory”. Beyond the rhetoric, no military drills have been announced by China yet, although Taiwan officials have been reportedly preparing for this possibility.
Since the PLA staged its largest drills in August 2022, in response to then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan which infuriated Beijing, there have been at least five notable exercises. But Beijing will also be mindful about taking any drastic actions that upset the current equilibrium, with the upcoming US presidential election in November, added Dr Qi, who researches cross-strait issues.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Impossible’ for China to be Taiwan’s motherland, says LaiTaiwan's President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Read more »
Taiwan President Lai vows to ‘resist annexation’ of islandBeijing has ramped up pressure on Taiwan to accept its sovereignty claims.
Read more »
Taiwan President Lai vows to 'resist annexation' of islandTAIPEI: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday (Oct 10) to "resist annexation", as China exerts growing military and political pressure on the self-ruled island it claims
Read more »
China likely to launch military drills near Taiwan after president’s national speech: SourcesTaiwan President Lai Ching-te will deliver a key speech on Oct 10.
Read more »
‘Impossible’ for People’s Republic of China to be our motherland, Taiwan president saysPresident Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Read more »
China May Launch Military Drills Near Taiwan Amid Lai Ching-te's SpeechTaiwanese officials warn that China is likely to conduct military drills near Taiwan this week, using Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s upcoming national day speech as a pretext to pressure the island. Beijing claims these actions are in response to “separatist acts” and state media has denounced Mr. Lai.
Read more »