In a keynote national address delivered outside the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said that China has no right to represent Taiwan. He asserted that the two entities are "not subordinate to each other", reaffirming Taiwan's position in the ongoing discourse surrounding its sovereignty and relationship with China.

Lai stated on Thursday, during the 113th anniversary of the ROC's founding, that "the Republic of China, the island's official title, is already established in Taiwan, Quemoy, Matsu, and Penghu, and is not subordinate to the People's Republic of China."

Taiwanese President also expressed Taiwan's willingness to collaborate with China on issues such as climate change, infectious disease control, and regional security, focusing on the goal of achieving peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

ALSO READ: Nobel Prize In Literature 2024 Awarded To South Korean Author Han Kang For 'Intense Poetic Prose'

The speech delivered on the annual Double Tenth Day, Lai stated that the two sides "are not subordinate to each other."Lai advocated for "healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges" between Taiwan and China, emphasising his commitment to maintaining the cross-strait status quo while resisting any attempts at annexation or infringement on Taiwan's sovereignty. 

Pledge To Promote Key Industries

He also pledged to enhance cross-sector economic development and ensure Taiwan's role in the global supply chain, focusing on promoting key industries such as chips and AI, as well as supporting the growth of medium, small, and micro enterprises to help them expand into international markets.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, criticised Lai, who has been in office since May and is seen by Beijing as a "separatist" and "troublemaker", for attempting to undermine the historical connection between Taiwan and the mainland. She accused Lai of trying to promote the idea of Taiwan's independence by reiterating claims that China and Taiwan are not subordinate to each other and that Taiwan has sovereignty.

ALSO READ: ‘There Should Be No…’: US Warns Israel To Avoid Gaza-Like Military Operations In Lebanon After Biden-Netanyahu Call

The speech was delivered on the annual Double Tenth Day. Double Tenth on October 10 commemorates the beginning of the 1911 revolution, which brought an end to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and resulted in the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC).