Facing Multi-faceted Pressure from CCP, Chiu Chui-cheng: Establish Peace Based on Strength

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) — Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng stated today, regarding the obstruction of President Lai Ching-te's foreign visit, that the CCP's dual-track strategy of 'hard and soft' hands towards Taiwan will not change. Facing multi-faceted pressure, it is necessary to implement President Lai's 'Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan' and establish peace based on strength while strengthening self-defense. Chiu attended the opening ceremony of the first Abe Political and Economic School today. Regarding the obstruction of President Lai's visit, he pointed out in a media interview that the CCP is using a dual strategy: on one hand, apparently welcoming the KMT chairman's delegation with goodwill, but on the other hand, using crude methods to block the President's trip. 'This is a strategy of one hard hand and one soft hand towards Taiwan, and I don't think it will change,' he said. He emphasized that facing CCP pressure, Taiwan must remain firm in the 'Four Commitments': as a free and democratic constitutional country, insisting that the ROC and PRC are not subordinate to each other, that Taiwan's sovereignty cannot be infringed upon, and that Taiwan's future must be decided by the will of its people. Chiu said the pressure includes military incursions, diplomatic suppression, economic coercion, social infiltration, massive cognitive warfare, legal warfare, and grey-zone harassment. 'We will implement President Lai's plan,' he stated. He stressed, 'We have ideals for peace, but no illusions.' Peace must be built on our own strength, strengthening self-defense, supply chain resilience, and all-society defense resilience, while deepening cooperation with like-minded countries and maintaining stable cross-strait leadership.