In a powerful address during the Concordia Summit at the United Nations, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te sounded an urgent alarm about the growing threat posed by China’s communist regime. Speaking via videotape to an audience attending the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Lai emphasized that China’s ambitions extend far beyond subjugating Taiwan—they represent a direct challenge to the international rules-based order and global stability.
"China’s threat to Taiwan is a threat to the entire international community. China doesn’t just want to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. It intends to change the rules-based international order and achieve international hegemony,” Lai stated, highlighting the far-reaching implications of China’s aggressive actions in the region.
Lai’s warning reflects a growing consensus among democratic nations that China's aspirations are not confined to the Taiwan Strait. Beijing’s persistent military provocations and refusal to respect Taiwan’s self-governance are part of a broader strategy aimed at reshaping global norms and institutions to serve its own authoritarian agenda.
For decades, Taiwan has been a beacon of democracy and freedom in East Asia, standing in stark contrast to China’s one-party communist rule. Lai’s remarks underscore the fact that Beijing’s goal is not just to extinguish Taiwan’s vibrant democracy but to expand its influence on the world stage, undermining democratic institutions and values in the process.
China’s military presence in the Taiwan Strait has become increasingly aggressive, with frequent incursions into Taiwanese airspace and naval drills near the island. These actions, combined with Beijing’s diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan’s allies, reflect a broader push by China to challenge the U.S.-led international order that has promoted peace and prosperity for decades.
During his address, President Lai took aim at China’s manipulation of U.N. Resolution 2758, the 1971 document that handed Taiwan’s U.N. seat to China. For years, Beijing has cited this resolution to falsely claim sovereignty over Taiwan, using it as a pretext to exclude the self-governed island from participating in international organizations, including the United Nations.
Lai rejected this interpretation, calling out Beijing for distorting the resolution to support its “one China principle” and delegitimize Taiwan’s democratic government. “Resolution 2758 did not authorize China to represent Taiwan, nor does it give China the right to deny Taiwan’s participation in international fora,” Lai said, clarifying that the resolution is often misused to suit China’s hegemonic ambitions.
Taiwan’s exclusion from the U.N. and other global institutions is not just an affront to the island’s 23 million people but a violation of the values of inclusivity, democracy, and self-determination that the United Nations was founded upon. Lai’s speech reiterated Taiwan’s right to be represented on the world stage and participate fully in addressing the global challenges that impact all nations.
While China continues its campaign to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, Lai’s speech also showcased growing international support for the island’s right to self-determination. The president thanked the United States and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for standing firm in opposition to Beijing’s coercive tactics.
The U.S. has been a steadfast ally of Taiwan, with American leaders across party lines consistently affirming their commitment to Taiwan’s defense and its participation in the international community. The Biden administration’s recent arms sales to Taiwan and joint military exercises with regional allies signal that the U.S. will not stand idly by in the face of China’s threats.
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an international coalition of lawmakers, has also been instrumental in rallying democratic nations to push back against China’s authoritarian influence. IPAC’s vocal support for Taiwan and its opposition to China’s distortion of U.N. Resolution 2758 highlights the growing recognition that Taiwan is a crucial player in the global fight to defend democratic values.
As China escalates its efforts to rewrite the rules of the international order, Taiwan remains a shining example of democracy, freedom, and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite Beijing’s attempts to isolate and intimidate the island, Taiwan’s government and people continue to uphold the principles of self-governance and human rights, setting a model for other nations in the region and around the world.
Lai’s address serves as a reminder that the future of Taiwan is about more than just regional security—it is about defending the core values that underpin the global community. If China is allowed to achieve its aims in Taiwan, it would set a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes worldwide.
President Lai Ching-te’s address at the Concordia Summit sent a clear message to the international community: The threat posed by China to Taiwan is a threat to global peace, security, and democratic governance. As Lai rightly pointed out, Beijing’s ambitions to dominate the Taiwan Strait are part of a broader push to reshape the global order in its favor, challenging the principles of sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law.
The world cannot afford to look the other way as China seeks to undermine Taiwan’s democracy and expand its authoritarian influence. With the support of its allies and the backing of democratic nations, Taiwan will continue to stand strong as a bulwark against China’s hegemonic ambitions. The fight for Taiwan’s freedom is a fight for the future of the international order, and the stakes could not be higher.
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