Taiwan President Lai Ching-te addressed cadets at the military’s premier academy, emphasizing the importance of understanding the threats posed by China, which views Taiwan as its territory and has engaged in military exercises around the island. Lai believes that only the people of Taiwan should have the right to determine their future, and he has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Beijing, although his offers have been rejected. Lai’s comments were made on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Whampoa Military Academy in Kaohsiung, where he warned cadets about the challenges posed by China’s ambitions of annexing Taiwan.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to Lai’s remarks, but Wang Huning, a top Chinese Communist Party leader, recently stated that reunification with Taiwan was a historical necessity for China to achieve its national rejuvenation goals. Beijing has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to preventing any separatist movements in Taiwan. Lai, speaking at the commemorative event with senior military officials and the top U.S. diplomat in attendance, urged the cadets to be prepared to defend Taiwan against potential annexation by China and emphasized that the island’s future should be decided by its people. He warned against defeatism and encouraged the cadets to distinguish between friends and enemies.
The Whampoa Military Academy was originally established in Guangzhou in 1924 to create a professional military force for the Republic of China, following the overthrow of the last emperor. The academy was relocated to various cities before eventually settling in Kaohsiung after the Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949. This move came after the Communist forces of Mao Zedong emerged victorious in a civil war. Taiwan believes that it is already an independent country, known as the Republic of China, and has no intention of changing that status. However, China has repeatedly warned that any formal declaration of independence by Taiwan would be met with aggression.
President Lai has faced criticism and personal attacks from China since taking office, with Beijing labeling him as a separatist. China staged military exercises around Taiwan shortly after Lai’s inauguration, raising tensions in the region. Lai’s message to the cadets at the academy focused on the threats posed by China’s increasing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and its ultimate goal of annexing Taiwan. He urged the cadets to be vigilant and committed to defending Taiwan’s sovereignty against external threats. Lai emphasized the importance of not succumbing to defeatism and instilled a sense of national pride and determination in the cadets.
Despite facing pressure from China, President Lai has reiterated Taiwan’s commitment to self-determination and independence. He has extended offers for dialogue with Beijing, but these efforts have been rebuffed. Lai’s address at the Whampoa Military Academy underscored the historical significance of defending Taiwan against external aggression and the importance of the island’s people in determining their own future. The academy’s legacy of training military leaders to protect and uphold the values of the Republic of China remains a crucial element in Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to preserve its sovereignty and independence in the face of growing threats from China.
