Taiwan's Lai visits island off China, pledging both peace and defense

Kinmen trip comes day after Taiwanese military personnel convicted of spying for Beijing

20240823 lai in kinmen

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te pays his respects at a ceremony commemorating the war against Chinese forces on the frontline island of Kinmen on Aug. 23. © Reuters

THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

TAIPEI -- Taiwan wants to "continue a life of democracy [and] freedom" and rejects being ruled by China's Communist Party, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday, while visiting an island that has been a focus of increasing maritime pressure from Beijing.

At the same time, he insisted that Taiwan "ardently loves peace" and hopes for "peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait."

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