China has intensified military and political pressure on the Taipei government in recent years, including military games around the island three days into Lai’s government.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday that the island will stand firm in the face of pressure from China. “In addition to military force, (China) has increasingly used non-traditional methods of coercion to try to subdue Taiwan,” Lai said during a press conference marking his first month in office. China has intensified military and political pressure on the Taipei government in recent years, including military games around the island three days into Lai’s government. According to Beijing, the war games were “punishment” for Lai’s inaugural speech, which he described as a “Taiwan independence confession.” China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to regain it. But the People’s Republic of China has never governed Taiwan, which has been governed since 1949 when nationalists came to the island defeated in the civil war. Meanwhile, the United States announced on Tuesday the approval of two arms sales to Taiwan, including $300 million in drones and $60.2 million in various equipment, such as precision-guided missiles. Lai on Wednesday thanked Washington for its support and reiterated the need to develop “resilience” in Taiwan’s defense strategy. “The people of Taiwan love peace and are kind to others, but peace must be backed by strength. Achieving peace through preparation is the way to avoid conflict,” said the ruler. China has called Lai a “dangerous separatist.”
