Taiwan President Reaffirms Peace Goals with China While Vowing to Bolster Defense

By Staff, Agencies

Marking one year in office, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te reiterated his commitment to peace with China but emphasized the need for strong national defense to deter conflict.

Speaking from the presidential office in central Taipei on Tuesday [May 20], Lai said Taiwan seeks dialogue with Beijing and is open to cooperation—provided it is based on mutual respect. However, he warned against naive expectations about peace with China, stating, “Peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams nor illusions.”

He affirmed Taiwan’s stance on self-governance, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims and asserting that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine the island’s future. Despite Lai’s repeated calls for talks, China continues to dismiss him as a “separatist” and has declined his overtures for dialogue.

In anticipation of potential military maneuvers by Beijing, Taiwan remains vigilant. Lai stated that bolstering Taiwan’s defenses is essential, saying, “Preparing for war is the best way to avoid it.”

He added, “Taiwan is happy to have exchanges and cooperation with China as long as there is reciprocal dignity—using exchanges to replace hemming in, dialogue to replace confrontation.”

The Chinese government has yet to comment on Lai’s latest remarks. However, China's defense ministry recently labeled him a “Taiwan Strait crisis maker,” accusing him of escalating tensions and harming regional stability.

On the economic front, Lai acknowledged the challenge posed by potential US tariffs, though he said ongoing discussions with Washington were progressing “smoothly.”

He also announced plans to create a sovereign wealth fund aimed at boosting Taiwan’s tech-driven economy. “The government will set up a sovereign fund to create a national investment platform, making full use of Taiwan's industrial strengths, led by the government, in collaboration with the strengths of private enterprises,” Lai explained, without disclosing specific details.

Following his media briefing, Lai attended the opening ceremony of the Computex trade show, where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a Taiwan native, headlined the event. Lai visited booths operated by Nvidia’s suppliers and partners, including Foxconn and Mediatek.

China has recently intensified its military presence near Taiwan. In the last 24 hours alone, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported detecting six Chinese aircraft and 11 naval vessels operating near the island. Beijing’s war games, such as the recent “Strait Thunder-2025A” and last year’s “Joint Sword” exercises, suggest an ongoing pattern of military pressure.