President Lai Ching-te marked one year in office with a powerful message: Taiwan wants peace with China—but not at the cost of realism or sovereignty. In his speech, Lai emphasized that only Taiwan’s people can determine the island’s future, calling for dialogue based on “reciprocal dignity.” China, however, rejected his offer, branding him a “Taiwan Strait crisis maker.” Amid rising tensions, Taiwan’s coastguard has reported security breaches from the mainland. Lai also noted progress in ongoing tariff talks with the U.S., signaling diplomatic engagement on multiple fronts.
