Vice President: Dialogue Lacks Substance Under Military Coercion, Leading to the Disappearance of the Republic of China

Regarding the meeting between Kuomintang Chairman Cheng Li-wen and Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, the American Institute in Taiwan stated yesterday that meaningful cross-strait exchanges should focus on dialogue between Beijing's leadership and Taiwan's democratically elected government, without preconditions, and include the participation of all political parties in Taiwan.

In response, Vice President Hsiao, accompanied by Minister of Sports Li Yang, attended the opening ceremony of the "2026 Corporate Women's Softball League" this morning and told the media that this is a consistent position of the United States and also Taiwan's主張. Taiwan's position is to hope for opportunities for dialogue under the premise of equality and dignity for all. However, it is regrettable that under the pressure of military coercion and various gray zone intrusions, the Republic of China is disappearing.

The Vice President said that all Taiwanese hope that the Republic of China can have space for participation in the international community, hope that the Taiwan Strait can be stable, and hope to achieve peace. However, true peace comes from strength, and Taiwan needs to build its own defense capabilities.

The Vice President further pointed out that in the face of China's military coercion, gray zone intrusions, and threats, such dialogue is actually meaningless. She emphasized that equality, dignity, and abandoning the threat of force against Taiwan, and building a more stable relationship in the long term, are the common expectations of all.

As for the rumor that military procurement and other budgets will be delayed until after the Trump-Xi meeting due to China's demands, the Vice President said that the military procurement budget was submitted to the Legislative Yuan last year, and even the national general budget bill has not yet been reviewed, which is very regrettable.

She said that from ancient times to the present, no country facing threats and suppression has achieved peace by weakening itself. It must strengthen its own strength. She once again called on all parties, regardless of ruling or opposition, to support the military procurement budget and support strengthening Taiwan's strength and defense capabilities. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150411