Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung firmly asserted on Wednesday that China has no authority to determine whether Taiwan is a country, stating that the self-governed island has the right to choose its own government.
Speaking at a press event commemorating the first year of President Lai Ching-te’s administration, Lin also expressed openness to diplomacy, saying he would gladly shake hands with his Chinese counterpart in a spirit of friendship.
“What the nature is of cross-Taiwan Strait relations can be discussed, but we are all human. First, extend the hand of friendship. If he shook my hand, that would be a good start,” Lin said, referring to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. “If he takes his hand back, that's his problem.”
China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory and has intensified military activities and political pressure around the island in recent years.
Beijing insists Taiwan has no right to statehood, describing the democratically ruled island as a breakaway province. President Lai and his administration strongly oppose this view, maintaining that Taiwan is already a sovereign state.
Despite repeated offers for dialogue from Taipei, China has rebuffed talks, branding Lai a "separatist". Nonetheless, Lin reiterated Taiwan’s willingness to engage, emphasising that Taiwan’s status is a matter for its people to decide.
“Whether or not Taiwan is a country is not up to Wang Yi, nor the People's Republic of China, to say. The whole world sees us as a country. We choose our governments democratically. It is our business what our name is,” Lin said.
Taiwan’s official name remains the Republic of China, a title carried over from 1949 when the nationalist government relocated to the island after being defeated by communist forces in China’s civil war. Since then, Taiwan has operated as a separate political entity.
Prospects for a meeting between Lin and Wang remain slim, given the lack of formal diplomatic relations and mutual recognition. Taiwan is also excluded from many international organisations due to Beijing’s opposition.
President Lai, in remarks on Tuesday, again extended an invitation for dialogue with Beijing, underscoring his commitment to peace while also emphasising the need to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses. China dismissed his statements as “two-faced” and “doomed to fail.”
Taipei has warned that Beijing may respond to the anniversary of Lai’s presidency with heightened military drills, continuing a pattern of pressure meant to reinforce China’s claims over the island.