Taiwan‘s President Calls for Peace Amid Regional Tensions on South Pacific Tour
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te concluded a week-long tour of the South Pacific on Friday, emphasizing the value of democracy while urging Beijing to prioritize peace in the increasingly volatile region. Speaking at a news conference in Palau, marking the final stop of his first overseas trip since taking office, Lai expressed concern over recent developments, describing gatherings among certain countries in the Indo-Pacific as a cause for alarm.
Specifically, he pointed to activities such as the deployment of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian troops in Ukraine and joint military drills between China and Russia as destabilizing factors. Lai stressed that Taiwan’s national security team had been closely monitoring these developments in collaboration with partner countries, stating, “The more nations gather for dangerous acts, the more united democratic countries shall be.”
He called on Beijing to “return to the rule-based international order” and contribute to peaceful development in the region.
“Conducting military drills or deploying vessels and aircraft will never earn China the respect of other countries,” he said. “Rather than raising their fists, [Beijing] should open their arms.”
Acknowledging the complex geopolitical climate, Lai expressed awareness of China’s potential response to his travels, noting media reports suggesting Beijing might conduct new military drills near Taiwan. He believed such actions would be a pretext, using his overseas trip and transit through U.S. territory – a common practice – as justification.
Lai emphasized the right of the Taiwanese people to engage with the global community, asserting, “Exchanges with the international community to foster greater understanding and cooperation… should not be treated as an act of provocation by an authoritarian regime.”
While Beijing criticized Lai’s South Pacific tour, urging the US to prevent him from transiting through its territory, Lai remained resolute, noting that Taiwan’s military was fully aware of China’s military movements in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region and was prepared to ensure national security.
## Strengthening Pacific Partnerships
The President’s agenda centered on consolidating ties with Taiwan’s three remaining diplomatic allies in the Pacific—a region where China has been increasingly assertive in recent years, poaching Taiwan’s allies and expanding its influence.
During his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen’s eight-year tenure, Taiwan lost three Pacific allies: the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru, with Nauru severing ties just two days after Lai’s election in January. This highlights the importance of Lai’s efforts to bolster relationships in the region.
## US-Taiwan Ties Remain Strong
Beyond strengthening Pacific partnerships, Lai’s trip provided an opportunity to engage with key players in Washington.
From Hawaii and Guam, he held direct phone and video conferences with prominent figures in the U.S. Congress, who reaffirmed their continued bipartisan support for Taiwan. This included former and incumbent U.S. House speakers Mike Johnson and Nancy Pelosi, as well as Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who is poised to chair the Senate Committee on Armed Services next year.
Recalling these conversations and meetings with officials in Hawaii and Guam, alongside representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan’s Washington office, Lai described Taiwan’s ties with its “international friends” as “rock solid.”
How might Lai’s message of promoting democracy and urging peace resonate with other countries in the region?
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## Interview: Taiwanese President Calls for Peace in the Pacific
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Joining us today is Dr. Emily Chen, a leading expert on East Asian international relations. Dr. Chen, President Lai Ching-te has just wrapped up a tour of the South Pacific. This is his first overseas trip since taking office, and it comes amidst rising tensions in the region. Can you help us understand the significance of this visit?
**Dr. Chen:** This visit is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores President Lai’s commitment to strengthening ties with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific. These relationships are crucial for Taiwan’s international standing, especially given the pressure it faces from China.
Secondly, Lai’s message of promoting democracy and urging China to prioritize peace is very timely. His concerns about regional instability, citing examples like Russia’s war in Ukraine and joint military drills between China and Russia, resonate with many countries in the region who are worried about China’s growing assertiveness. [1](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/nov/22/taiwanese-president-lai-ching-te-visit-allies-sout/)
**Host:** And what about China’s potential reaction to this trip? There have been reports that Beijing might conduct military drills near Taiwan in response.
**Dr. Chen:** We know that China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and is highly sensitive to any actions it perceives as promoting Taiwanese independence. Lai’s visit, coupled with his transit through US territory, is likely to be interpreted as a provocation by Beijing. While military drills are a common tactic China uses to signal its displeasure, it’s crucial to remember that Lai emphasized the peaceful nature of his trip, highlighting Taiwan’s desire for dialog and cooperation.
**Host:** Dr. Chen, thank you for providing your insights into this important development. This is certainly a situation we’ll be watching closely in the coming days and weeks.
