No 'external force' can change our future, Taiwan president says on frontline islands

No “external force” can change Taiwan’s future, President Lai Ching-te said as he visited frontline islands near China for the 75th anniversary of a key victory over communist forces.

KINMEN, Taiwan — Taiwan cherishes its freedom and democracy and no “external force” can change its future, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Friday, visiting sensitive frontline islands next to China for the 75th anniversary of a key victory over communist forces.

Taiwan has controlled Kinmen, and the Matsu islands to the north, since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists.

Lai told veterans and family members that the October 1949 Battle of Guningtou, when republican forces fended off an attempt to invade Kinmen by the People’s Liberation Army, “represents our determination to protect our country.”

“The Battle of Guningtou makes us realize that democracy and freedom are not something to be taken for granted,” Lai said.

“We treasure a democratic and free way of life, and we cannot, and will not, allow any external force to change the future of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, right?” Lai added, referring to all the island groups the government controls, though without directly mentioning China.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/no-external-force-can-change-future-taiwan-president-rcna177221

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