Beijing Slams Taiwan President's Warning on China's Indo-Pacific Ambitions

Beijing has lashed out at Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “war instigator” and “crisis creator” after he warned that China would expand its ambitions across the Indo-Pacific if it succeeded in taking control of the self-ruled island. In an interview withAFP, his first with a global news agency since assuming office in May 2024, Lai said a Chinese takeover of Taiwan would not stop at the island’s shores. He argued that Beijing would grow “more aggressive” and could next target countries including Japan and the Philippines. China’s foreign ministry responded sharply. Spokesman Lin Jian accused Lai of promoting separatism and provoking confrontation. “Lai Ching-te’s remarks once again exposed his stubborn pro-independence nature, fully proving that he is a peace disruptor, crisis creator, and war instigator,” Lin told reporters. Lin reiterated Beijing’s longstanding claim over Taiwan, insisting that nothing Lai says “can change the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China’s territory.” China regards the island as a breakaway province and has repeatedly stated it would use force if necessary to bring it under its control. Lai’s warning was directed beyond Beijing. By naming Japan and the Philippines—two key US allies in Asia—he placed Taiwan’s fate within a wider regional security framework. Analysts view his remarks as an effort to build stronger diplomatic backing at a time when military pressure from China remains constant. Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels routinely operate around Taiwan, and tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain high. Lai’s comments reflect concerns in Taipei that any shift in the balance of power could reshape security dynamics across East Asia. Beijing dismissed the notion that Taiwan’s fate would affect regional stability in the way Lai suggested. Lin said attempts to seek foreign backing for independence were “sheer folly” and would not succeed. The exchange highlights a widening narrative battle. While Beijing frames Lai as a provocateur seeking to drag outside powers into China’s internal affairs, Taipei argues that China’s actions already pose a challenge to the broader Indo-Pacific order. Beyond regional warnings, Lai used theAFPinterview to call for closer defence and artificial intelligence ties with Europe. The European Union is Taiwan’s third-largest export market, and Taipei has stepped up engagement with European partners amid uncertainty about Washington’s long-term posture. Taiwan sits at the centre of the global semiconductor supply chain, producing nearly all of the world’s most advanced chips. This dominance has often been described as a form of strategic leverage, making the island indispensable to major economies and, by extension, harder to isolate. Lai signalled that Taipei would support overseas investment by Taiwanese chip firms, including in Europe. The move aligns with Western efforts to diversify semiconductor manufacturing while keeping Taiwan integrated into critical industries. Even so, Taiwan faces pressure from Washington to boost its own defence spending and encourage semiconductor production in the United States. The delicate balancing act reflects Taipei’s need to strengthen alliances without appearing to push formal independence—an outcome Beijing has warned could trigger forceful action. China’s latest rebuke suggests that rhetoric alone can inflame already strained ties. With Beijing standing firm on sovereignty claims and Taipei seeking broader international backing, exchanges like this one risk hardening positions further. As Lai frames Taiwan’s defence as a regional concern, China insists the issue remains a domestic matter. That clash of narratives continues to shape one of Asia’s most volatile flashpoints. India's MEA said amendments to the US fact sheet on the India-US trade deal reflect shared understanding, with the February 7 joint statement as the framework. The US revised its fact sheet, removing references to India's commitments on US farm goods and digital services tax. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.