Lai urges respect for WWII history, Taiwan's 'right to exist'

Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) Taiwan welcomes efforts by the United States and China to reduce the risk of war through dialogue, but the two superpowers should also respect the historical record of World War II and the Taiwanese people's right to exist, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Saturday in his National Day address.

Faced with sustained "gray zone" pressure from China, Taiwan has increased defense spending and worked to strengthen society's overall ability to defend itself by combining government and civilian capabilities, Lai said.

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Such efforts are not meant as a provocation, but to ensure dialogue can take place on the basis of "dignity and parity," he said.

"We welcome the United States and China managing their competition through dialogue and reducing the risk of conflict and war," he said. "But we must also point out that maintaining regional security, peace and stability requires a correct understanding of how history has unfolded."

"There must be no tolerance for distorting the history of World War II. There must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist," Lai said in the address, which marked the 115th anniversary of the founding of the ROC.

"We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination," he said.

The ROC government relocated to Taiwan from mainland China in 1949 after its defeat in the Chinese Civil War by Communist forces, which founded the People's Republic of China.

In his address, Lai also said that Taiwan is "going farther, step by step, with our diplomacy."

He cited his visit in May to Eswatini, Taiwan's sole African ally, which took place amid Chinese attempts to block the trip by pressuring three African states to deny his chartered flight access to their airspace.

He also mentioned Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's (蕭美琴) visit to Palau, another ally of Taiwan, in June and her speech at the European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy in Italy in September.

Taiwan has worked with its international partners on health care, agriculture, energy, technology, education and sustainable development to meet their needs, and has improved lives through those efforts, Lai said.

"'Taiwan Can Help' is not just a slogan. It is a commitment -- our willingness to share our capabilities and shoulder responsibility," he said.

Taiwan seeks international recognition despite sustained efforts by Beijing to isolate it. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory that must be unified, by force if necessary.