TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Tsai Ing-wen expressed the willingness to develop an acceptable basis of interaction with Beijing through democratic procedures during her last National Day speech in office on Tuesday (Oct. 10).
Speaking in front of the Presidential Office, Tsai said that "Taiwan has become a Taiwan of the world," as Taiwan has proven to be a reliable partner in geo-strategic, global democratic development, and international supply chain systems. International support for the island has also been "united and solidified as never before."
"We are now able to face the world with confidence and firmness," Tsai said. "We are also able to face China with confidence and steadiness and to create the conditions for peaceful coexistence between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait for our future development.
Regarding the cross-Strait issue, Tsai emphasized that Taiwan is willing to develop a mutually acceptable basis of interaction with the Beijing authorities based on "the consensus of public opinion in Taiwan, the premise of reciprocal dignity, the procedure of democratic dialog, and the core of maintaining the status quo."
"Peace is the only option for both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Maintaining the status quo as the greatest common denominator for all parties is the key to ensuring peace," she said.