Taiwan President Criticizes China's Travel Restrictions

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed a desire for dignified and reciprocal exchanges with China, questioning Beijing's goodwill due to ongoing travel restrictions that hinder Taiwanese access to Chinese tourists and students. Lai emphasized that only the Taiwanese people can determine their future and criticized China's actions as detrimental to trust-building efforts. During his New Year address, he highlighted the necessity for strong democratic cooperation in the face of authoritarian threats, particularly from China and Russia. Lai pointed out that peace across the Taiwan Strait is vital for global stability and that Taiwan must enhance its defense capabilities. China's military presence around Taiwan remains significant, with continued exercises and aggressive rhetoric from President Xi Jinping regarding reunification. Lai's remarks underscore Taiwan's commitment to defending its sovereignty while seeking constructive dialogue with Beijing.