ELECTION 2024/DPP's Lai urges Beijing to engage in talks with Taipei

Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) Lai Ching-te (賴清德), the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has called on China's leaders to assume responsibility for regional stability and engage in dialogue with Taiwan.

"Our door will always be open to engagements with Beijing on the principles of equality and dignity," Lai said at a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday while urging Beijing to recognize its shared responsibility for peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing should also take note of "the changes in international trends" and hence adhere to the international order, he said at the press event held just four days before Taiwanese voters head to the polls to choose the country's next leader.

The DPP candidate's appeals were similar to those of incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the DPP, and he said he would continue her policies, including efforts to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and expand links with democratic nations.

Tsai, who cannot run again as she nears the end of her second four-year term, has expressed on multiple occasions her willingness to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平), without ever receiving a positive response.

With Lai and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) repeatedly reproached by Beijing as advocates for Taiwanese independence, a detente between the two sides in the event of the DPP's victory in the presidential election slated for Saturday has been viewed as unlikely.

Ties between China and Taiwan have been frosty during Tsai's eight years, and Beijing has ratcheted up pressure militarily in response to what it sees as efforts by Taipei to assert its sovereignty.

Lai contended, however, that a DPP victory would pave the way for Beijing to "reassess its policy towards Taiwan," as it would showcase Taiwanese voters' support for the country's current direction and render what he described as Chinese interference operations in favor of his opponents futile.

"My being elected will be helpful for creating a new situation in the Indo-Pacific region" that will contribute to the stability of the Taiwan Strait, Lai said.

He told reporters from around 28 countries that Taiwan under his leadership "will not change its friendly stance" toward Beijing but at the same time "harbors no illusions" about the ambition of the potential aggressor.

He reiterated his commitment to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and realize the proposed "four-pillar plan," under which he will work to boost Taiwan's defense capabilities and economic security, expand partnerships with other democracies, and maintain a pragmatic relationship with China.

"There is an expectation among the international community that [we] maintain the status quo," Lai said, noting that this "is [the responsibility] that both sides of the Taiwan Strait need to bear together."

"We have no plan" to declare Taiwanese independence because "the Republic of China, Taiwan, is already an independent sovereign nation," Lai said.