TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te emphasized on Sunday (Dec. 10) the importance of Taiwan charting its own course while countering Chinese aggression. He stressed that Taiwan must avoid becoming the next Hong Kong.
During the rally in Kaohsiung, Lai responded to questions from Taiwan People's Party (TPP) rival candidate Ko Wen-je regarding the DPP's pro-independence stance, using Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow as an example of what Taiwan should not become.
The rally, coinciding with the 44th anniversary of the Formosa Incident, aimed to invoke memories of the event among Kaohsiung locals and reflect on its historical significance.
Lai criticized the plans of Kuomintang (KMT) and TPP candidates to renegotiate the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) with China, recalling the determined young students who opposed the agreement during the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement.
Meanwhile, DPP vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim highlighted Taiwan's capabilities in warship construction and missile production during the rally, showcasing the Taiwanese people's resilience in the face of Chinese pressure.