Lai Says Taiwan Stands Firm After Fresh Chinese Coast Guard Incursion
President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan will use its technological strength to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait a day after a fresh incursion by Chinese coast guard vessels into Taiwan's waters.
Chinese Coast Guard Intrusion
REPORTER:
A day after China’s coast guard sent two more ships into Taiwan’s waters, President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan will use its technological strength to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan’s coast guard on Saturday told the ships to leave and monitored them as both sides traded messages claiming sovereignty in the area. China claims Taiwan and hasn’t ruled out the use of force to take it. But at the opening of the Rotary International Convention Sunday, President Lai said Taiwan stands firm.
Lai Ching-te (TAIWAN PRESIDENT):
Taiwan stands on the front lines of defense against authoritarian expansion and will maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait with our strength in technology. We will also expand cooperation with our democratic partners.
REPORTER:
Chinese incursions, including by coast guard vessels, is one form of so-called “gray-zone warfare”, hostile actions that fall short of acts of war—a tactic China often uses against Taiwan.
