Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said on Friday that Taiwan's future should not depend on the goodwill of China's leaders, according to the Taiwan-based Taiwan News.
According to Taiwan News, MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng said the core issue of the crisis between the two countries is China's refusal to acknowledge the objective existence of Taiwan.
According to Taiwan News, Chui-Cheng said that China's propaganda and threats are the root cause of the atmosphere of uncertainty in the Taiwan Strait.
Chiu defended President Lai Ching-te's policy of maintaining the status quo to safeguard regional peace and stability, Taiwan News reported, citing Radio Taiwan International. He said the government will abide by the constitution and Taiwan is a separate entity with its own sovereignty. He reiterated comments from Lai's May 20 inaugural speech that angered China.
He also urged Taiwanese travellers to exercise caution if they have to travel to China, Hong Kong or Macau. They should register on the MAC website before their trip so they can receive assistance if needed.
Concerns over the safety of travellers to Taiwan grew after China threatened to execute supporters of Taiwan independence last month. As a result of the Chinese threat, Taiwan changed its travel advisory from yellow to orange, warning against non-essential travel.
Earlier on Thursday, the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) monitored four Chinese coast guard ships that entered Taiwan-controlled waters off the coast of Kinmen County.
In a statement, the CGA said four Chinese vessels approached the outer boundary of the “restricted” waters around Kinmen and intruded into Taiwan-controlled waters from four different points at 7 am (local time) — east and southeast of Liaoluo Bay, south of Zhaishan and south of Fengzui.
According to Taiwan's CGA, this was the first incursion by Chinese coast guard ships in July and the 31st incursion in 2024.
