Taiwan’s president-elect calls for ‘healthy dialogues’ with Beijing in party-to-party talks
- Weeks ahead of inauguration, William Lai Ching-te says mainland China should ‘have confidence’ in talking to island’s ‘elected legitimate’ government
- Beijing accuses ruling DPP of ‘deliberately creating cross-strait conflicts and instigating confrontation’
Taiwan’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te has called for party-to-party talks with Beijing just weeks ahead of his inauguration, at a time of souring cross-strait ties.
He told a party meeting on Wednesday that the two sides should understand and respect each other’s positions, and cherish each other’s goodwill. He also mentioned a willingness to engage in exchanges and cooperation with Beijing “on the premise of reciprocity and dignity”.
His remarks came amid soaring cross-strait tensions. Beijing has denounced Lai as a “troublemaker” and an “obstinate separatist”, and has tried to downplay the significance of the ruling party’s electoral victory. The DPP won just 40 per cent of the ballot and lost its majority in the legislature.
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On Thursday, Lai told a press conference that Beijing should “have confidence” in talking to the DPP government, Taiwanese media reported.