BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te declared on Sunday that the concept of “Taiwan independence” means the island is not part of the People’s Republic of China and cannot be placed under Beijing’s authority, insisting that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their future.
Speaking at an event in Taipei marking the 40th anniversary of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Lai reaffirmed the party’s long-standing position that Taiwan is already a sovereign and independent state under the name Republic of China. His remarks came at a sensitive moment in cross-strait relations, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during a high-profile summit that sparked renewed debate in Taiwan about the future of American support for the island.
During comments following the summit, Trump signaled caution over any moves toward formal Taiwanese independence, saying the United States did not want to encourage a situation where Taiwan would declare independence believing it had unconditional American backing. His remarks triggered concern among some officials and analysts in Taipei, where the United States has long been viewed as the island’s most important international partner and security supporter.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to bring the island under Beijing’s control, by force if necessary. Chinese leaders have especially warned against any actions they interpret as steps toward formal independence, which Beijing regards as a red line.
Lai sought to frame Taiwan’s position as one rooted in political reality rather than a declaration of separation. Referring to a key resolution adopted by the Democratic Progressive Party in 1999, he said the party’s stance remains that Taiwan already exists as a sovereign state and therefore has no need to formally declare independence.
“The meaning of the term ‘Taiwan independence’ is very clear,” Lai said during his address. “It means Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China.”
He added that the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, and the People’s Republic of China “are not subordinate to each other,” reiterating a formulation he has used before that has consistently angered Beijing.
Lai emphasized that Taiwan’s sovereignty belongs to its people and cannot be claimed or annexed by another government. He said any decision regarding the island’s future must come from the Taiwanese public alone.
The Taiwanese president also stressed the historical evolution of the Republic of China government, which relocated to Taiwan in 1949 after nationalist forces lost the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong’s communist troops. Since then, Taiwan has developed into a democratic and self-governing society with its own political system, military and economy, despite lacking formal diplomatic recognition from many countries due to pressure from Beijing.
Lai argued that over the decades, the identity of the Republic of China has become inseparable from Taiwan itself. He noted that the territory administered by Taipei includes not only Taiwan but also the Penghu islands in the Taiwan Strait and the Kinmen and Matsu island groups located close to the Chinese coast.
“The Republic of China has existed in Taiwan for more than 70 years and has become integrated with Taiwan,” Lai said. “No matter what we are called internationally, it refers to the people living here.”
He also referred to Taiwan’s population of 23 million people, saying they collectively hold the right to determine the island’s future and identity.
Lai avoided directly mentioning Trump during the speech and declined to answer shouted questions from reporters afterward concerning U.S.-Taiwan relations and the outcome of the Beijing summit.
The comments come as uncertainty grows over the future direction of Washington’s Taiwan policy under Trump. While U.S. law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with defensive support under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Trump said during his return flight from Beijing that he had not yet decided whether additional arms sales to Taiwan would proceed.
The United States officially switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but it has remained Taiwan’s most significant unofficial ally and primary arms supplier. American military support and political backing are viewed by Taiwan as critical in deterring possible Chinese military action.
Beijing has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, sending fighter jets and naval vessels near the island on an almost daily basis. Chinese officials accuse Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party of promoting separatism, while Taipei argues that Beijing is attempting to intimidate Taiwan’s population and undermine its democratic system.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately issue a public response to Lai’s latest remarks, though Beijing has routinely condemned similar statements in the past as dangerous provocations that threaten regional stability.
Lai’s speech underscored the increasingly delicate balancing act facing Taiwan’s leadership as it seeks to maintain international support, preserve the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and resist growing pressure from Beijing without triggering a broader confrontation.
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