The DPP’s Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim made a joint appearance on Tuesday at an international press conference. The event drew 217 journalists from 128 media outlets representing 28 countries. The issue of cross-strait relations took center stage. Lai reiterated that Taiwan was already a sovereign and independent country and did not need to otherwise declare its independence. He vowed to continue Tsai Ing-wen’s cross-strait policies. Lai also criticized former KMT President Ma Ying-jeou for saying that Taiwan would never win a war against China.

With just four days till Election Day, DPP presidential contender Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim held an international press conference. They faced sharp questions from 217 journalists representing 28 countries. The two largest contingents were from the U.S. and Japan. Cross-strait issues took center stage.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
Peace is the only option. Our door will always be open to engagement with Beijing on the principles of equality and dignity. Taiwan is already an independent sovereign nation, so there is no need to declare independence. I hope that China can see the changes in international trends and play a role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Lai reiterated that Taiwan was already an independent country. He urged Beijing to recognize that maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region was the responsibility of both sides of the strait. Lai was asked whether the PLA’s recent live-fire drills in the East China Sea were an attempt to interfere in Taiwan’s elections.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
China tries to interfere in every Taiwan election, but this time, its interference has been the most severe. If I am elected president, it would give China the opportunity to reassess its policy toward Taiwan.

Lai said that if the opposition party wins, China would not be inclined to change its current strategy of threats and intervention. A German reporter brought up former President Ma Ying-jeou, who said that no matter what Taiwan does, it won’t be able to win a war against China. The remark sparked a strong reaction from Lai.

Reporter
Deutsche Welle
He said, “No matter how much you defend yourself, you can never fight a war with the mainland, you can never win.”

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
He accepted the “1992 Consensus” and deprioritized national defense and security, allowing our national security capabilities to atrophy. The pursuit of peace relies on our own strength, not on the goodwill of aggressors, as we can see in Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

After the event, reporters weighed in on how the candidates did.

Alexander Sjoberg
Berlingske reporter
I think their performance was very calm and very easy, much more relaxed, I would say, than your local election rally. But yeah, they did a pretty good job.

Leonid Kovachich
Sputnik reporter
Actually I believe that President Lai’s election campaign will be successful as he highlighted all the main issues of interest of Taiwanese people.

A Russian reporter said he had landed on Monday and immediately felt Taiwan’s fervor for its elections.

Leonid Kovachich
Sputnik reporter
Today in Taipei for example, walking on the streets today in the morning, I saw different people talking about their preferred candidates. Taiwanese people they are all very amused with this.

Reporter
TV Asahi
When Japanese people come to Taiwan they are very surprised. They think the elections are bustling with activity, like a festival. In Japan, the elections are very calm, and voter turnout is low. They find that Taiwan’s enthusiasm for politics is very different from Japan’s.

As Jan. 13 draws near, Taiwan is capturing global attention with both its election and its thriving election culture.

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