TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) convened a high-level national security meeting on Monday (Oct. 14) in response to the Chinese military's announcement of the "Joint Sword-2024B" (聯合利劍-2024B) exercises around Taiwan.
President Lai assured the public that the military has a comprehensive understanding of the situation, and emphasized the government's commitment to defending Taiwan's democratic and constitutional system.
In a Facebook post earlier that day, Lai reiterated Taiwan's dedication to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He expressed hope for respectful, orderly dialogue between the two sides, consistent with Taiwan's longstanding position.
Last Thursday, during his National Day address, Lai highlighted Taiwan's willingness to cooperate with China in areas like pandemic prevention, aiming for peaceful coexistence and prosperity.
Lai also urged China to heed international expectations and collaborate with global nations to resolve conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions. He emphasized that China's military actions undermine regional peace and stability and do not align with international community expectations.
Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) reinforced this sentiment, stating the international consensus supports peace in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. She called on China to acknowledge Taiwan's existence and respect its democratic choice.
Kuo urged China to cease military provocations that threaten Taiwan's freedom and stability. As tensions rise, Taiwan remains vigilant, urging China to engage constructively and contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity.