Taiwan's Ruling Party Presidential Hopeful Says He Can Handle China
In the final days of campaigning, ruling party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te tells international press he has the answer to managing difficult relations with Beijing.
Transcript
00:00 It's just days until Taiwan goes to the polls and elects its new president.
00:05 And here at the International Convention Center in the capital Taipei, the candidate for the
00:09 ruling Democratic Progressive Party is making one of his final pitches to be the country's
00:14 next leader.
00:15 In front of international media, he's positioning himself as the one to protect peace and stability
00:20 in the Indo-Pacific and counter the rising authoritarianism of China.
00:25 "I hope that after I become president, China will realize that both sides are responsible
00:32 for peace and development.
00:40 Taiwan will not change its friendly stance, its cooperative stance, and its shared stance
00:46 on peace on both sides.
00:51 I also hope that China will realize the change in the international situation and return
00:58 to the international order."
01:01 Lai says he has the answer to managing those complicated relations with Beijing, promising
01:06 to take Taiwan's defense seriously while leaving the door open to communication with China.
01:11 As the current VP, he's also positioning himself as the natural successor to current leader
01:16 Tsai Ing-wen, saying he can carry on her work.
01:19 A safe pair of hands on the wheel in this increasingly turbulent region of the world.
01:24 John Su and Rick Lowat in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.
01:27 [BLANK_AUDIO]