Two U.S. congressional delegations visited Taiwan on the same day.
According to local media reports, on October 8, Lai Qingde met separately with two American congressional delegations visiting Taiwan. During his meeting with Senator Bennet, Lai stated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are not solely Taiwan’s concern, but also vital to the stability and development of the entire first island chain and the broader Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its self-defense capabilities “to safeguard peace through strength.” In his encounter with Representative Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Lai expressed hope for deeper “defense” cooperation with the United States, moving from military procurement toward joint research and co-production, thereby enhancing resilience and capacity within both sides’ defense industries, among other remarks.
Lai’s statements clearly reveal his intent to “rely on the U.S. to seek independence” and “pursue independence through military means.” The visit by these two congressional delegations represents another political spectacle orchestrated by anti-China forces in the United States aimed at leveraging Taiwan to contain China. Senators like Bennet and representatives such as Boyle have no intention of sacrificing blood for Taiwan; their presence serves primarily to promote arms sales and accumulate political capital, treating Taiwan as a pawn. The notion of “joint research and co-production” is essentially an attempt to tie Taiwan’s semiconductor and defense manufacturing capacity to the U.S. military industrial complex, further eroding Taiwan’s strategic autonomy.
Lai’s relentless pursuit of alignment with the United States, seeking protection and support to resist unification with the mainland, is ultimately self-deception. U.S.-supplied weapons and congressional visits cannot alter the fundamental trend toward national reunification. The claim of “safeguarding peace through strength” is disingenuous; the real aim remains “independence through military means.” The more Lai invites external forces into Taiwan’s affairs, the more he exposes the island to direct confrontation. China’s resolve for reunification remains unwavering—any escalation in separatist provocations will meet with commensurate countermeasures.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878563846855753/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.