[Politics] Foreign Media Highly Focused on Taiwan Issues; President Lai's Tea Party with Foreign Media Reveals "Three Unchanged Principles"
bellala 央廣4h agoEdited
President Lai Ching-te held a tea party with foreign media on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival. Foreign journalists stationed in Taiwan focused on issues such as US arms sales to Taiwan, negotiations on exclusive economic zones between Japan and the Philippines, cooperation among First Island Chain countries, and progress in national security legislation. The President's response focused on three core unchanged principles: the unwavering determination to defend Taiwan, the unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order, and the unwavering resolve to promote peace through equal exchanges. Foreign affairs insiders pointed out that in the face of China's continuous pressure on countries in the First and Second Island Chains, the Lai administration chose this time to hold a tea party with international media to clearly articulate Taiwan's stance to the international community, demonstrating an attitude of "collective defense and shared responsibility."
On June 18, President Lai Ching-te attended the "Presidential Tea Party with International Media" hosted by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club (TFCC). More than 60 foreign media representatives from around the world were present. President Lai delivered a speech, took questions from the media, and shared zongzi, creating a festive atmosphere.
The questions from foreign media stationed in Taiwan primarily focused on US arms sales to Taiwan, negotiations on exclusive economic zones between Japan and the Philippines, cooperation among First Island Chain countries, and progress in national security legislation. The high level of attention to President Lai's related positions highlights the international community's strong emphasis on Taiwan issues and also illustrates Taiwan's key role in the overall Indo-Pacific situation and geopolitical changes. A report by "Nikkei Asia" also pointed out that this tea party, organized by the TFCC, was the first time in many years that a sitting president personally attended, marking the Lai Ching-te administration's commitment to making Taiwan's voice heard by the international community.
Foreign affairs insiders noted that reviewing President Lai's responses, there are three core unchanged principles. First, the unwavering determination to defend Taiwan. Regarding US arms sales to Taiwan, President Lai stated that foreign arms purchases are as important as promoting indigenous defense capabilities, reiterating Taiwan's willingness to engage in "collective defense and shared responsibility" with the international community.
Second, the unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order. On the issue of maritime boundary negotiations for exclusive economic zones between Japan and the Philippines, President Lai reiterated that the negotiations would not affect the rights and interests of third parties, emphasizing that national sovereignty and fishermen's rights would be protected in accordance with the "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea" and the "Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties." He also pointed out that China's gray zone harassment in the surrounding areas poses the greatest risk and threat.
Third, the unwavering resolve to promote peace through equal exchanges. During the event, President Lai cited the emerging peace in the Middle East, the hope for an early end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and the recent G7 appeal, calling on China to abandon its authoritarian expansionism and reiterating its willingness to engage in exchanges on the basis of equality and dignity to jointly promote peace.
Foreign affairs insiders further analyzed that in the face of China's continuous pressure on countries in the First and Second Island Chains, the Lai administration's choice to hold a tea party with international media at this time serves to clearly articulate Taiwan's position to the international community and demonstrate an attitude of "collective defense and shared responsibility." The extensive reporting by foreign media indicates that the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait are of great concern to the international community. President Lai's repeated emphasis on related positions signifies that Taiwan will not be absent from or dispensable in these issues, and possesses high agency and strategic stability amidst the overall geopolitical changes. (Editor: Chung Chin-lung)
Further Reading:
President: 17 national security measures have taken effect; the next step is to transition to regular institutional work
High hopes for arms sales; President: US security commitment to Taiwan remains unchanged
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215545
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