Take note of changes in int’l trends: Taiwan’s presidential candidate tells China

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Maintaining that he will keep the door for engagement with China “always open,” Taiwan’s ruling party candidate Tuesday, however, urged Beijing to take “note of international trends.”

"Our door will always be open to engagements with Beijing on the principles of equality and dignity,” said Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

He is one of the three candidates vying for the top post when around 19 million voters will elect Taiwan’s new president on Saturday.

However, Lai added: “Beijing should also take note of the changes in international trends, and hence adhere to the international order.”

Lai was addressing a news conference with reporters from around the world, Taipei-based Focus Taiwan reported.

Under the Democratic Progressive Party, cross-Taiwan Strait relations have plunged in the past eight years since President Tsai Ing-wen took office as Taipei increased its engagements with the US and its allies.

Beijing, which claims the island nation as its breakaway province, over the years increased military pressure by flying jets and sailing naval vessels around Taiwan.

As the elections near, Chinese balloons have been routinely flying past Taiwan, many of which crossed over the land mass, home to around 24 million people.

Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949, but lost several diplomatic allies since 2016, leaving it with only 13.

Lai said he will continue the policies of outgoing President Tsai, who leaves office in May, “including efforts to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and expand links with democratic nations.”

A victory of the ruling party “would pave the way for Beijing to reassess its policy towards Taiwan, as it would showcase Taiwanese voters' support for the country's current direction,” Lai said.

“My being elected will be helpful for creating a new situation in the Indo-Pacific region that will contribute to the stability of the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.

Taiwan under “my leadership will not change its friendly stance” toward Beijing but at the same time “harbors no illusions about the ambition of China,” he said.

China has not ruled out the use of force to unify Taiwan with the mainland.

- Status quo in Taiwan Strait

Reiterating that he would maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, Lai said his administration would work on a “four-pillar plan” – boost Taiwan's defense capabilities and economic security, expand partnerships with other democracies, and maintain a "pragmatic relationship" with China.

“There is an expectation among the international community that (we) maintain the status quo,” Lai said.

Maintaining the status quo "is (the responsibility) that both sides of the Taiwan Strait need to bear together,” he added.

“We have no plan" to declare Taiwanese independence because "the Republic of China, Taiwan, is already an independent sovereign nation," Lai noted.

Some 235 reporters from across the world are camping on the island nation to cover one of the most consequential elections in Taiwan, which has barred short-term visa holders from mainland China from writing about weekend polls.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s military issued a nationwide emergency alert on Tuesday after China launched a satellite into space.

English version of the alert issued by the military read: "Missile flyover Taiwan airspace, be aware."

However, the Defense Ministry later said the English version was “mistaken.”

Beijing sent a new astronomical satellite into space Tuesday to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe.