President Tsai Ing-wen has urged China to work with Taiwan on stabilizing the long-term development of cross-strait relations. Tsai was speaking Wednesday during her inaugural address as she began her second term in office.
Tsai said that her administration has done its best to promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait over the past four years, and that these efforts have won global recognition. Tsai said she is willing to “engage in dialogue with China” and make more contributions to regional security.
Tsai also reiterated her administration’s China policy.
“I want to reiterate the words ‘peace, parity, democracy, and dialogue.’ We will not accept the Beijing authorities’ use of ‘one country, two systems’ to downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo. We can stand fast by this principle," said Tsai.
The president said that cross-strait ties have reached a “historical turning point” and that both ides have a duty to find a way to prevent antagonism.
The president also said that Taiwan’s people will always come together, as Taiwan’s unified response to COVID-19 demonstrates.
“I truly hope that all of my fellow citizens will remember how it felt to come together to overcome the challenges of the past few months.The Republic of China can be united. Taiwan can be safe. Being Taiwanese can be an honor that makes you hold your head high," said Tsai.