TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) strongly rejected a U.S. scholar's criticism of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday (Oct. 24), following a TIME Ideas article labeling Taiwan's leader as "reckless." The Oct. 23 opinion piece by think tank scholar Lyle Goldstein, director of the Asia Program at Defense Priorities, sparked widespread debate across Taiwanese society as U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (Oct. 30).
MOFA emphasized Taiwan's responsible approach to safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's foreign affairs body also stated that President Lai consistently stresses peace as the only option, aligning with international consensus. Officials identified China's military exercises and pressure campaigns as the region's true sources of instability.
Goldstein acknowledged on X that his article generated significant controversy. He stated he "really kicked a hornet's nest" and urged Taiwanese citizens to face reality. The scholar warned that "Uncle Sam is not going to save them from the angry Chinese dragon."
In response to the controversy, Lin Ying-yu (林穎佑), an associate professor at Tamkang University (淡江大學), remarked that Goldstein's views deserve respect but don't represent Washington's entire stance. MOFA reaffirmed Taiwan's strategy to strengthen self-defense capabilities and societal resilience, ensuring democratic sustainability. ◼