Speaking at a press conference on New Year’s Day, Taiwanese leader Lai Thanh Duc said that China was preventing normal interactions by restricting Chinese tourists from visiting or students from studying in the island. island, while similar restrictions do not apply to Taiwanese people traveling to China, according to Reuters.
Taiwanese leader Lai Thanh Duc delivered a New Year’s speech in Taipei on January 1
“But I still want to emphasize this: Taiwan hopes to have healthy and orderly exchanges with China according to the principle of reciprocity and respect,” Mr. Lai said at the press conference.
Taiwan and China have repeatedly accused each other of travel and tourism restrictions. In June 2024, Taiwanese authorities asked Taiwanese not to go to China if not absolutely necessary, after Beijing threatened to punish those seen as supporting Taiwan independence, according to Reuters.
In his New Year speech on December 31, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that no one can prevent China’s “unification” with Taiwan.
The Chinese military operates around Taiwan every day and last year held two exercises near the island, according to Reuters.
Mr. Lai, who took office in May 2024, frequently proposed negotiations with China but was rejected. He said that only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
Also at the above press conference, Mr. Lai said that cooperation between democracies needs to focus on defense and security, while strengthening “democratic supply chains”.
