Lai's first '10 Talks' speech draws mixed reactions

Taipei, June 23 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) speech on Sunday received mixed reactions, with the opposition criticizing it as "hollow" and "sowing division."

Lai delivered the first of his "10 Talks on the Country" in New Taipei on Sunday afternoon. The speaking tour, aimed at addressing the challenges facing Taiwan and outlining the government's responses, will take the president to cities and counties across Taiwan.

In the speech, Lai referenced the Treaty of San Francisco to emphasize that "Taiwan has never belonged to the People's Republic of China" and that "the PRC has never ruled Taiwan for even a single day."

Commenting on the speech later Sunday, Yang Chih-yu (楊智伃), spokesperson of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), said the speech revealed Lai's inability to listen to public opinion.

"Faced with public anxiety, economic challenges, and tense cross-strait relations, President Lai has been living in the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Taiwan independence universe and never listened to public opinion," Yang said.

Lai's apparent belief that "resisting China to protect Taiwan" is the solution to everything and his support of the July 26 mass recall votes of 24 KMT lawmakers demonstrate that he is encouraging political polarization and has forgotten his responsibilities as president, Yang said.

Meanwhile, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said instead of uniting the people, consolidating power appeared to be the more likely motivation behind Lai's speech.

Instead of resorting to empty talk, Chu suggested, Lai should address the issues people care about, such as progress in Taiwan's negotiations with the United States on "reciprocal tariffs," and whether the country has sufficient energy supply.

In addition, Lai should address high house prices, rampant scams, crime, and clarify whether his administration will continue to adopt a "confrontational" stance with China, Chu said.

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP), meanwhile, described Lai's speech as "astonishingly hollow."

Lai gave a long-winded historical account in his speech, but his understanding of history is "fragmented, lacking, and out of touch with the public," the TPP said in a statement on Sunday.

The president should focus on how Taiwan can capitalize on AI, where he is leading the country, and the substantive aspects of his governance, rather than delving into history and engaging in empty sloganeering, the TPP said.

DPP legislative caucus whip Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤), on the other hand, defended Lai's speech, saying the president hopes to use the speaking tour to unite the country and reaffirm Taiwan's commitment to democratic values.

"The first talk focuses on the country, underscoring that only unity can ensure security," Wu told CNA. "President Lai's intent is evident -- he wants Taiwan to come together under the banner of democracy."

Wu added that the talks aim to ease partisan divides in the same vein as the national security briefing Lai earlier offered to opposition leaders.

"Only by rallying under the idea of the nation can we find common ground despite our differences. Nothing is more important than defending Taiwan and our democracy," she said.

Separately, DPP spokesperson Justin Chuo (卓冠廷) issued a press release responding to criticism from the KMT and the TPP.

He said that Lai, as head of state, had extended invitations to both party chairs for a national security briefing -- which they declined -- and is now seeking to communicate directly with the public through the "10 Talks" amid escalating international and domestic challenges.

"Yet the opposition continues to smear the initiative with baseless accusations," Chuo said. "This shows clearly that it is the KMT and TPP leaderships who are undermining national unity for political gain."

Chuo said that Lai's address comes at a critical time, with global dynamics shifting rapidly and China ramping up military activity in the Indo-Pacific and stepping up efforts to infiltrate Taiwan.

"The president is determined to face these challenges head-on and lead the nation forward -- that is the spirit behind the 10 Talks," Chuo said.