China cannot represent Taiwan and should work with Taipei on global challenges, Lai says

China has nary close to represent Taiwan, but the island is consenting to work with Beijing to combat global challenges such arsenic climate change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said connected Thursday, striking some a firm and a conciliatory tone.

Lai, who took bureau successful May after being elected in January, is detested by China, which calls him a "separatist." Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its ain territory, a view Lai and his authorities reject.

Giving a keynote nationalist code extracurricular the statesmanlike bureau in Taipei, Lai reiterated that the Republic of China — the island's ceremonial sanction — and the People's Republic of China are "not subordinate to each other."

"On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People's Republic of China has nary close to represent Taiwan," helium said.

Taiwan's determination to support its sovereignty, support bid successful the Taiwan Strait and seek equal and dignified talks with China all stay unchanged, Lai added.

"I volition besides uphold the committedness to defy annexation oregon encroachment upon our sovereignty," Lai said.

But helium besides held retired an connection of practice with China.

"We are consenting to work with China on addressing clime change, combating infectious diseases, and maintaining determination information to prosecute peace and mutual prosperity for the well-being of the radical connected the 2 sides of the Taiwan Strait."

Lai added that helium hoped China could unrecorded up to the planetary community's expectations, and apply its influence and work with different countries toward ending Russia's penetration of Ukraine and conflicts successful the Middle East.

"And we anticipation that it volition instrumentality up its planetary responsibilities and, on with Taiwan, lend to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region and the globe," helium said.

There was nary contiguous effect from Beijing to his remarks.

China this week accused him of raising tensions, and on Wednesday Taiwan's defence ministry said China had staged different "joint combat readiness patrol" astir the island, portion of a signifier of what Taipei calls regular Chinese subject harassment.

Taiwanese and Western officials person warned China could signifier more military drills in effect to his speech.

China has nary justification for using Lai's code arsenic a pretext for subject pressure, the United States, Taiwan's astir important planetary backer contempt the lack of diplomatic ties, said connected Wednesday.

Lai has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's radical tin determine their future.

Lai also praised Taiwan's diversity, highlighting Nymphia Wind, the archetypal East Asian to instrumentality the crown successful RuPaul's Drag Race, and Olympic golden medalist Lin Yu-ting, 1 of 2 boxers astatine the halfway of a sex quality astatine this year's Paris Olympics.

"The radical of Taiwan are diverse, and they are fearless. Our ain Nymphia Wind is simply a queen connected the satellite stage. The radical of Taiwan are genuinely courageous. Lin Yu-ting, a girl of Taiwan, is simply a queen of the boxing world," helium said.