TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te offered to meet with China again on Sunday, two days after Chinese military drills in waters off the island, and said he hoped to foster mutual understanding and reconciliation.
China, which considers democratically ruled Taiwan its own territory, carried out military drills on Thursday and Friday as “punishment” for Premier Lai Michel’s inaugural speech on Monday which Beijing called a new move towards formal independence for the island.
China has repeatedly denounced Lai as a “separatist”. He rejects Beijing’s claims to sovereignty and says only the Taiwanese people should decide Taiwan’s future. He has repeatedly requested talks but has been rebuffed.
Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the southern city of Tainan, Lai called on China to “share with Taiwan the heavy responsibility for regional stability”, in comments released by the party.
Lai, who was elected in January, also said he hopes to “promote mutual understanding and reconciliation with China through exchanges and cooperation, create mutual benefits, and move towards a position of peace and common prosperity.”
He thanked the United States and other countries for expressing concerns about China’s exercises.
“The international community will not accept any country that creates ripples in the Taiwan Strait and affects regional stability,” Lai added.
Taiwan’s government has condemned China’s military exercises.
Over the past four years, China has regularly conducted military activities around Taiwan to pressure the Taiwanese government.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Sonali Paul Editing)
