Taiwan's President Calls Only Military Strength Can Maintain Peace With China

Illustration of military soldiers (Unsplash-Bao Menglong)

JAKARTA - Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said only military forces could maintain peace with China. He stressed that the Taiwanese people would not give up on Chinese pressure.

Lai said that after the United States (US) approved the acceleration of weapons packages at the presidential office in Taipei, Wednesday, June 19 local time.

China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, is known to have military exercises two days after Lai was officially sworn in as president in May 2024. Military exercises around Taiwanese waters are referred to by China as "punishment" for Lai's inauguration speech which is accused of being full of the context of independence.

A year in effect, Lai in his political speech mentioned his country's love of peace. However, it should be underlined that Taiwan's military power has a straight line to the success of this peace.

"But peace must rest on power, meaning avoiding war by preparing for war to achieve peace. Empty promises are not true peace," Lai said, quoted by Reuters, Wednesday, June 19.

Lai reminded again of China's national policy which he said was trying to annex Taiwan.

In addition to using violence, in recent years, they [China] have even used non-traditional coercive measures to force Taiwan to surrender. But Taiwan will not give up," Lai said.

Lai explained that China's coercion of Taiwan, including preventing Taiwan's participation in international agencies and events, prohibiting or imposing heavy taxes on certain exports to China, and the gray zone'' tactics such as flying balloons over the island.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the US State Department had approved the sale of drones and missiles to Taiwan for a value of around 486 million dollars.

US efforts provide Tauwan's means of sustainable self-defense despite no formal diplomatic relations fueling Chinese anger.