Taiwan Must Never Become China's Taiwan, President Lai Ching Te Declares

Taiwan must never become China's Taiwan, President Lai Ching Te has said, reaffirming that the island's future can only be decided by its 23 million people as Beijing intensifies military, political and diplomatic pressure on the self ruled democracy.

Addressing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) annual congress, Lai urged party members to remain united in defending Taiwan's democracy and resist what he described as Beijing's growing "red terror." He warned against China's expanding legal and political pressure, including measures that Taipei believes could be used to target Taiwanese deemed supportive of independence.

"Taiwan must not become China's Taiwan," Lai said, stressing that the island would neither bow to intimidation nor accept Beijing's sovereignty claims. He reiterated that safeguarding Taiwan's democracy, freedom and way of life remained the government's highest priority and that any decision on Taiwan's future must rest solely with its people, regardless of ethnicity.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has repeatedly vowed to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary. Beijing has stepped up military drills, air and naval activities, diplomatic pressure and disinformation campaigns around Taiwan while continuing to denounce Lai as a "separatist" and refusing official dialogue with his administration.

Lai, who assumed office in May 2024, has consistently maintained that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is already a sovereign entity and therefore does not need to declare formal independence. His government has focused on strengthening defence capabilities, deepening ties with democratic partners and enhancing Taiwan's resilience against external coercion. The latest remarks come amid heightened cross Strait tensions and growing international concern over peace and stability in the Indo Pacific.