President William Lai Ching‑te said Taiwan's future must be decided by its 23 million people [1] rather than by external forces.
The statement underscores Taiwan's struggle to maintain democratic self-determination while resisting political pressure from China and other outside powers. This assertion of sovereignty comes at a time of heightened tension across the Taiwan Strait.
Speaking in Taipei on Wednesday during a ceremony marking the second anniversary of his inauguration [2], Lai said the island has the right to determine its own destiny. He addressed the ongoing friction with Beijing, noting that China calls him a "separatist," but said the people of Taiwan decide their own path.
Lai said his administration is committed to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He said the island will continue to prioritize security measures to protect its democratic way of life.
Regarding international partnerships, Lai addressed the necessity of military support from the U.S. He said that if given the chance, he would tell President Trump that Taiwan hopes to continue U.S. arms purchases because they are essential for peace.
Throughout the address, the president framed the island's security as a prerequisite for stability in the region. He said the will of the population—amounting to 23 million citizens [1]—must remain the primary factor in any decision regarding the island's political status.
Lai said Taiwan will not succumb to pressure from foreign forces seeking to influence its governance. He said the future of the island cannot be decided by external forces, only by its own people.
“"Taiwan's future cannot be decided by external forces, only by its own people."”
By explicitly linking the island's security to continued U.S. arms purchases and democratic self-determination, President Lai is signaling a refusal to pivot toward Beijing's preferred unification terms. The emphasis on the 23 million citizens serves to frame the issue as one of human rights and democratic will rather than a mere territorial dispute, further complicating China's claims of sovereignty over the island.
