Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, visited a frontline island to mark a crucial battle with Chinese forces on Friday ( Aug 23 ), saying that Taiwan wants to continue its free way of life and opposes being under the Communist Party’s rule.
Since the defeated Republic of China state fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil conflict with Mao Zedong’s communists, Taiwan has controlled the Kinmen and Matsu archipelago, which lay just off the Taiwanese coast. There has never actually been a signed peace agreement or truce.
China’s coast watch, which was the site of on-off fighting at the height of the Cold War, has since conducted normal inspections around Kinmen since February when two Chinese individuals died while riding a boat that Beijing blamed on Taipei.
Lai made his first journey to Kinmen since taking office in May, placing a wreath and lowering his head in honor at a playground to mark the 66th celebration of a collision with Taiwanese forces, known as the start of the second Taiwan Strait problems.
Lai said he grew up with tales of the battle as his uncle served in Kinmen, and that he addressed veterans at a lunch and spoke off the cuff.
Taiwan must resist China’s threats, Lai added.
” Our goal is that we hope for peaceful development along Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is a nation that fervently seeks peace. Taiwan’s people are kind”, he said.
” We are no longer trying to retake the mainland. However, we are also unwilling to be under the control of the communist party. We want to continue a life of democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law. Right”? Lai added, to shouts of “yes”!
The Taiwanese government continues to strengthen and spend more on the military and will defend Taiwan’s sovereignty, he said.