Lai, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, said: “I sincerely hope that China has the confidence to cooperate with the legitimate and democratically elected government that the people of Taiwan trust. This is the right path for cross-Strait exchanges.” ), in a press conference.
If Beijing authorities are only willing to follow “conditions” set by the opposition, Lai said, referring to the island's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, such exchanges “will fail to gain the trust and support” of Taiwanese society. .
“If things continue as they are, it will not necessarily be beneficial for China and will not have a positive impact on peaceful development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” said Lai, who introduced his foreign policy, national security and foreign affairs team. defense.
Since the Democratic Progressive Party formed a government on the island in 2016, relations between China and Taiwan have cooled: official dialogue between Taipei and Beijing has been suspended for eight years, military tensions in the Strait have increased, and Chinese authorities have hardened their rhetoric in favor of Taiwan. “National reunification.”
Beijing insists that any dialogue with the Taiwanese government must take place on the basis that both sides of the Strait belong to “one China,” a hypothesis defended by the leadership of the Kuomintang Party, but rejected categorically by the Democratic Progressive Party, as its leaders believe that this dialogue must Complete. It takes place under conditions of “equality.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping assured former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou (KMT) on April 10 that “no forces can separate Taiwan from China” and that “differences” in their political systems “cannot change the fact that the two sides are one country.”
“As long as there is no separation, and as long as both sides recognize that they are Chinese, compatriots on both sides of the strait can sit together, initiate communications and conduct exchanges as members of one family,” Xi said.
Taiwan's president-elect – considered “independent” in Beijing's eyes – and the rest of the government will take office on May 20.
GBI // Doctors Without Borders
Losa/The End
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