Taiwan: ‘Open to exchanges and cooperation with China’

Taipei (Taiwan), 20 May (LaPresse/AP) – ‘Taiwan is very willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China’ as long as there is mutual respect and dignity. This was stated by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te in his speech marking the first year of his term. However, Lai added that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its national defence capabilities, both through the purchase of weapons from abroad and the development of domestic weapons, and will remain ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with its allies ‘to exercise deterrent power.’ ‘We will prepare ourselves adequately to avoid war and achieve the goal of peace,’ he assured.