Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te, speaking on the second anniversary of his inauguration, declared that Taiwan's future should not be decided by 'foreign forces' but by its 23 million citizens.

Lai stated his primary goal remains maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and preventing 'external forces' from altering the island's political status quo.

He expressed willingness to engage with Beijing, which cut off communication with Taipei in 2016, but only through 'orderly exchanges' based on 'equality and dignity.'

Lai also said Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community, not a 'party that undermines stability,' in an apparent swipe at Beijing.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office accused Lai of inciting 'cross-strait confrontation' by supporting 'Taiwan independence.' Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said Lai 'peddles separatist fallacies' while framing Taiwan-China relations as 'democracy versus authoritarianism.'

Zhu also accused Lai of ignoring the wellbeing of Taiwanese people to pander to 'external forces attempting to seek independence through foreign aid and force.'

Lai has faced a tumultuous two years, with opposition-led legislature cutting a special defense budget from $40 billion to $25 billion and attempting impeachment over a tax dispute.

His approval rating stands at 38%, up from 32% in his first year, while disapproval fell from 55% to 44%, according to a TVBS poll.

Lai said his government will take other measures to cover the defense spending shortfall. US President Donald Trump suggested arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a 'very good negotiating chip' with Beijing.

In April, Lai was forced to delay a state visit to Eswatini, Taiwan's only African diplomatic ally, after several countries denied airspace access due to alleged Chinese pressure. He later made the trip via a circuitous route on the Eswatini king's private jet.

Source: www.aljazeera.com