Taiwan's Lai calls on Indo-Pacific democracies to help maintain peace in National Day speech

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called on democracies in the Indo-Pacific to “join forces” to maintain regional stability in a speech marking the island's National Day on Saturday, as the territory remains a source of tensions between the U.S. and China.He also said Taiwan welcomed dialogue between China and the U.S. to manage their competition and reduce the risk of conflict and war but pointed out that maintaining peace requires a correct understanding of history.“There must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist,” he said. “Democracies in the Indo-Pacific must join forces to ensure the status quo of peace and stability in the region is not changed.” Taiwan has faced growing military and political pressure from China, which views the island democracy as a breakaway province to be retaken by force if necessary. In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, that he hoped the U.S. would adhere to “the correct position of opposing ‘Taiwan independence'” during his visit to Washington. Lai said China has exerted pressure in an attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and the island's “resolve”...