Taiwan Vice-President Hsiao Bi-Khim on Friday reaffirmed President Lai Ching-te’s offer for dialogue with Beijing, emphasising that Taipei does not seek conflict or confrontation.
Taiwan Will Not Provoke Confrontation With China: Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim
"Taiwan does not seek conflict with China and will not provoke confrontation," Hsiao stated during an address to the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei.
"Taiwan does not seek conflict with China and will not provoke confrontation," Hsiao stated during an address to the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Taipei. She also criticised Beijing’s growing military pressure, calling it “aggressive” and “counterproductive.”
China views self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has labelled President Lai a 'separatist', a claim firmly rejected by Taiwan’s government.
"Chinese pressure on Taiwan has only intensified over recent years", Hsiao noted, while adding, "but the people of Taiwan are peace-loving."
Reiterating Lai’s offer for talks, she continued, "For decades, Taiwan’s people and businesses have contributed to China’s growth and prosperity—achievements made possible only under a peaceful and stable environment."
She warned that China’s continued military intimidation undermines this stability. “Aggressive posturing deprives people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait of opportunities to pursue shared growth and prosperity.”
"Defending the status quo is our deliberate choice,” Hsiao concluded, adding that it was not because of the ease of it but because it was responsible and aligned with the interests of the entire region.
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