TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te criticized the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) on Tuesday (Dec. 19), arguing that neither party reflects the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan and that both parties lack the ability to promote Taiwan's stable development.
Lai made these remarks at the inaugural meeting of the "Trust Taiwan Support Association," which was established with the backing of domestic and international academia.
During his speech, Lai outlined the multiple challenges that Taiwan is currently facing, including those related to its future in the Indo-Pacific region, the global struggle between autocracy and democracy, the challenge posed by China, as well as the issues of digital transformation and the transition to net-zero emissions.
Lai emphasized that the upcoming presidential election will determine the fate of Taiwan and the future of the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted the international community's focus on the Taiwanese people's decision, stating that this is not a conflict between parties but a choice between democracy and autocracy. Lai pointed out that the international community is witnessing an increasingly clear divide between these camps.
The DPP presidential candidate explained that along with his running mate, vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim, they aim to ensure Taiwan's sovereignty and long-term stability, continuing the nation's path toward democracy initiated by President Tsai Ing-wen.
Lai criticized the KMT and TPP for their dependency on China, stressing that the KMT's adherence to the "1992 Consensus" and the TPP's proposal of "Two Sides, One Family" both align with the "One China principle." He cited Hong Kong's economic decline post-handover as a cautionary example for Taiwan not to follow.
Finally, Lai warned that a DPP defeat in the elections could hinder policy implementation, causing societal unrest, and casting doubts within the international community about Taiwan. He urged support for DPP-nominated candidates in both the party-list and regional legislative elections, underscoring their importance in continuing the nation's democratic progress.