Latest news with #StraitThunder-2025A
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Taiwan wants peace with China but needs tight defense — Lai
Lai Ching-te (ANI) Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday said that while Taiwan was ready to have exchanges with China, it also had to keep strengthening its defenses in the event that Beijing decided to assert its claim to sovereignty over the island with military force. His remarks came as Lai, whom China has called a "separatist" while rejecting previous offers he has made for talks, marked one year in office. What did Lai say on China and defense? "I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams or illusions," Lai said. He said Taiwan would keep strengthening its defense capabilities, adding that the best way to prevent a war happening was to prepare for it. Lai said his country would procure arms from abroad while developing its own arms industry, and stand "shoulder to shoulder" with its allies "to exert deterrent power." But he said he also wanted dialogue with China , provided it was on an equal footing. "I also reiterate here: 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," he said. Over the last few years, China has stepped up military drills around Taiwan in a seeming bid at intimidation. Last month, it held war games code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A" near the island, with the "A" at the end implying that they were not the last of their kind. What did he say on US tariffs? Taiwan is also grappling with the challenge posed by possible US tariffs, after US President Donald Trump imposed 32% levies on all imports from Taiwan last month before lowering them to 10% for 90 days to allow trade negotiations to take place. Lai struck a conciliatory note on the subject. "The US and Taiwan have long "cooperated and have also encouraged each other to grow," he said. "There are bound to be frictions between friends, but they can eventually be reconciled." "Even if there are differences of opinion, as long as there is a foundation of trust and sincere dialogue, they can understand each other better and deepen their friendship," he added. The US has traditionally been Taiwan's strongest unofficial ally in the face of military threats by China and is bound by law to provide the island with the equipment it needs to defend itself in the case of an attack. Officials from both sides held a first round of trade talks last month and another is to follow in the coming weeks.
France 24
20-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
Taiwan president calls for 'peace' with China but says island must prepare for war
Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he completed one year in office. China has rebuffed Lai's multiple offers for talks. Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. The government has warned that Beijing could mark the anniversary with military drills but speaking to reporters at the presidential office in central Taipei, Lai offered a message of peace. "I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams nor illusions," he said. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defences as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, Lai added. "I also reiterate here - 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." Binhua Chen, a spokesperson for Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office responded by slamming Lai's "separatist position" promoting independence, calling it "doomed to fail", state broadcaster CCTV said. China was willing to "engage in dialogue" with Lai, but only on issues "relevant to promoting the reunification of the motherland", Binhua added. China's defence ministry last week said Lai was a "Taiwan Strait crisis maker" who had increased antagonism and confrontation and undermined peace and stability. Lai also faces a challenge from possible US tariffs, currently on pause, and said talks with Washington were continuing "smoothly". The government also plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund to boost the tech-focused economy, he added. "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 said, without giving details. After finishing his media event, Lai attended the opening ceremony for the ongoing Computex trade show, where Taiwan-born Jensen Huang, the CEO of AI darling Nvidia, is the star attraction. Lai visited the booths of Nvidia suppliers and partners, including Foxconn and Mediatek, chatting with senior executives there. Last month, China held war games code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A" around Taiwan, the "A" at its end suggesting there could be more to come. China called its May 2024 drills just after Lai took office "Joint Sword-2024A", and in October of that year staged "Joint Sword-2024B". In a daily report detailing Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defence ministry said in the past 24 hours it had detected six Chinese planes and 11 vessels near the island.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Taiwan president pledges peace with China but says island must strengthen defences
TAIPEI: Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he completed one year in office. China calls Lai a 'separatist' and has rebuffed his multiple offers for talks. Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. The government has warned that Beijing could mark the anniversary with military drills but speaking to reporters at the presidential office in central Taipei, Lai offered a message of peace. 'I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams nor illusions,' he said. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defences as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, Lai added. 'I also reiterate here - 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.' China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Tuesday called Lai's speech a 'two-faced tactic' that's a 'waste of effort and doomed to fail.' 'No matter what the leaders of the Taiwan region say or how they say it, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China ... nor can it stop the inevitable trend of national reunification,' the office's spokesperson Chen Binhua said in a statement. China's defence ministry last week said Lai was a 'Taiwan Strait crisis maker' who had increased antagonism and confrontation and undermined peace and stability. Lai also faces a challenge from possible U.S. tariffs, currently on pause, and said talks with Washington were continuing 'smoothly'. The government also plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund to boost the tech-focused economy, he added. '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 said, without giving details. After finishing his media event, Lai attended the opening ceremony for the ongoing Computex trade show, where Taiwan-born Jensen Huang, the CEO of AI darling Nvidia (NVDA.O), is the star attraction. Lai visited the booths of Nvidia suppliers and partners, including Foxconn ( and Mediatek ( chatting with senior executives there. Last month, China held war games code-named 'Strait Thunder-2025A' around Taiwan, the 'A' at its end suggesting there could be more to come. China called its May 2024 drills just after Lai took office 'Joint Sword-2024A', and in October of that year staged 'Joint Sword-2024B'. In a daily report detailing Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defence ministry said in the past 24 hours it had detected six Chinese planes and 11 vessels near the island.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Taiwan president vows peace with China, urges stronger defences
TAIPEI: Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences, President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday as he completed one year in office. China calls Lai a 'separatist' and has rebuffed his multiple offers for talks. Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. The government has warned that Beijing could mark the anniversary with military drills but speaking to reporters at the presidential office in central Taipei, Lai offered a message of peace. 'I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams nor illusions,' he said. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defences as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, Lai added. 'I also reiterate here - 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.' China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Tuesday called Lai's speech a 'two-faced tactic' that's a 'waste of effort and doomed to fail.' 'No matter what the leaders of the Taiwan region say or how they say it, it cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China ... nor can it stop the inevitable trend of national reunification,' the office's spokesperson Chen Binhua said in a statement. China's defence ministry last week said Lai was a 'Taiwan Strait crisis maker' who had increased antagonism and confrontation and undermined peace and stability. Lai also faces a challenge from possible U.S. tariffs, currently on pause, and said talks with Washington were continuing 'smoothly'. The government also plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund to boost the tech-focused economy, he added. '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 said, without giving details. After finishing his media event, Lai attended the opening ceremony for the ongoing Computex trade show, where Taiwan-born Jensen Huang, the CEO of AI darling Nvidia (NVDA.O), is the star attraction. Lai visited the booths of Nvidia suppliers and partners, including Foxconn ( and Mediatek ( chatting with senior executives there. Last month, China held war games code-named 'Strait Thunder-2025A' around Taiwan, the 'A' at its end suggesting there could be more to come. China called its May 2024 drills just after Lai took office 'Joint Sword-2024A', and in October of that year staged 'Joint Sword-2024B'. In a daily report detailing Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defence ministry said in the past 24 hours it had detected six Chinese planes and 11 vessels near the island.
NBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Taiwan president offers peace with China but says island must strengthen defenses
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defen s es, President Lai Ching-te said Tuesday as he completed one year in office. China calls Lai a 'separatist' and has rebuffed his multiple offers for talks. Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. The government has warned that Beijing could mark the anniversary with military drills but speaking to reporters at the presidential office in central Taipei, Lai offered a message of peace. 'I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams or illusions,' he said. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defenses as preparing for war is the best way to avoid it, Lai added. 'I also reiterate here — 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.' China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China's defense ministry said last week that Lai was a 'Taiwan Strait crisis maker' who had increased antagonism and confrontation and undermined peace and stability. Lai also faces a challenge from possible U.S. tariffs, currently on pause, and said talks with Washington were continuing 'smoothly.' The government also plans to establish a sovereign wealth fund to boost the tech-focused economy, he added. '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 said, without giving details. After finishing his media event, Lai attended the opening ceremony for the ongoing Computex trade show, where Taiwan-born Jensen Huang, the CEO of AI darling Nvidia, is the star attraction. Lai visited the booths of Nvidia suppliers and partners, including Foxconn and Mediatek, chatting with senior executives there. Last month, China held war games code-named 'Strait Thunder-2025A' around Taiwan, the 'A' at its end suggesting there could be more to come. China called its May 2024 drills just after Lai took office 'Joint Sword-2024A,' and in October of that year staged 'Joint Sword-2024B.' In a daily report detailing Chinese military activities, Taiwan's defense ministry said in the past 24 hours it had detected six Chinese planes and 11 vessels near the island.
