Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te launched a national campaign for unity on Sunday with a bold declaration of Taiwan’s de facto independence, pushing back against growing military and political pressure from Beijing.
In the first of ten speeches under the banner “Unite Taiwan”, Lai described the island as a fully sovereign nation, outlining its historical and cultural separation from China. Speaking to a Rotary Club audience, he stated, “Of course Taiwan is a sovereign state!”—citing its distinct territory, population, government, and political system.
Lai’s remarks also referenced Taiwan’s complex modern history. He pointed out that although Japan, Taiwan’s colonial ruler for 50 years, relinquished control after the Second World War through a 1945 peace treaty, sovereignty over the island was never formally transferred to any other country. This, he argued, further underscores Taiwan’s independent status in the eyes of international law and history.
The speech marks the start of a strategic communication push by Lai, who will deliver nine more addresses in the coming weeks covering topics such as nationhood, cross-Strait relations, democracy, and peace. The campaign also comes as his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seeks to mobilise domestic support ahead of a critical 26 July parliamentary recall vote, aimed at unseating nearly half the lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT).
While the unity campaign is directed primarily at a domestic audience, it is expected to provoke a strong reaction from Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party has long regarded Taiwan as a breakaway province and has warned of military action should the island move further towards formal independence.
Observers believe Lai’s assertive tone—while consistent with long-standing DPP policy since 1999—could further inflame tensions. Beijing has already adopted a more hostile stance towards Lai than it did towards his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, despite both being from the same party. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment following Lai’s remarks.
In recent years, China has sharply escalated military operations around Taiwan, including near-daily incursions into air defence zones and large-scale exercises simulating amphibious invasions, blockades, and missile strikes. Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, has described such actions as “rehearsals”, warning that they could one day serve as a “fig leaf” for an actual invasion.
Since taking office in May 2024, Lai has faced increasing Chinese military manoeuvres, espionage, and diplomatic pressure, as Beijing works to isolate Taipei on the international stage. But on Sunday, Lai responded with defiance, tracing Taiwan’s indigenous Austronesian roots and highlighting its long-standing separation from Chinese control.
Analysts say Lai’s speeches are part of a broader effort to unify the country’s population across party lines by reinforcing Taiwan’s unique identity and rights. While the DPP seeks to strengthen its parliamentary position, Lai is also positioning his government as resolute in the face of external coercion.
