Lai Chingte: "There Are No Winners in War... Open to Dialogue With China"

"No Dialogue Without Recognition of 'One China', Says China"
Cross-Strait Relations Remain at an Impasse
Leadership Tested Amid Opposition Majority, Chinese Pressure, and U.S. Uncertainty

Taiwan President Lai Chingte has once again proposed dialogue with China on the first anniversary of his inauguration. However, China has reaffirmed its commitment to the "One China" principle and maintained a hardline stance, further highlighting the differences between the two sides.

Taiwan President Lai Chingte is holding a press conference at his office in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 20. On this day, President Lai expressed his views on various issues, including cross-strait politics and economics, during the first anniversary of his inauguration. Photo by EPA

At a press conference marking his first year in office, held at the Presidential Office in Taiwan on May 20, President Lai stated, "Peace is precious, and there are no winners in war," adding, "If equal respect can be guaranteed, I am willing to engage and cooperate with China."

He also said, "Through cooperation with international allies and a rules-based order, we will prevent war and achieve peace," but emphasized, "We will not stop strengthening our defense capabilities, whether through foreign arms procurement or self-reliant national defense."

This message was reiterated in his inaugural address in May last year. At the time, he proposed to China, "Let us replace confrontation with dialogue and encirclement with exchanges under conditions of equality and dignity." However, since then, China has conducted several military drills encircling Taiwan.

After news of this press conference spread, China responded immediately. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China made it clear that "cross-strait dialogue is only possible if the 'One China' principle is recognized," effectively rejecting President Lai's proposal.

Spokesperson Chen Binhua stated on China Central Television (CCTV), "The fact that Taiwan is a part of China does not change. The reunification of the motherland is an unstoppable historical trend," and added, "Only by halting all attempts at Taiwan independence will there be room for dialogue."

Facing both domestic and international challenges, President Lai has recently come under fire in the court of public opinion. In a recent podcast, he compared China to a large corporation and Taiwan to a small or medium-sized business, saying, "If you want a merger, you need to put conditions on the table." This statement sparked controversy over the so-called "merger and acquisition theory."

In response, Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu strongly criticized him, asking, "Are you planning to sell out Taiwan?"

On the same day, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency published a commentary harshly criticizing President Lai's first year in office, claiming that "his misdeeds have piled up like a mountain." The agency accused him of pursuing party interests and Taiwan independence, undermining peace in the Taiwan Strait, and damaging cross-strait relations by relying on foreign powers.

The commentary also took issue with his advocacy of the "New Two States Theory" (the claim that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other), restrictions on cross-strait exchanges, and attempts at supply chain decoupling, arguing that "these actions are causing the overall decline of Taiwan's industries."

Meanwhile, President Lai was elected as the Democratic Progressive Party candidate in last year's presidential election with 40.05% of the vote. However, the domestic political landscape remains one in which the opposition holds a majority, and with the added complexity of the U.S.-China strategic rivalry and the possibility of former President Donald Trump's return, his leadership is being tested amid a complicated diplomatic and security environment.