Taipei: President Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed his commitment to managing U.S.-Taiwan relations while urging national unity in a speech marking the first anniversary of his presidency. As he enters his second year in office, Lai seeks to address both domestic and international challenges.

According to Focus Taiwan, President Lai delivered his speech at the Presidential Office, emphasizing key issues such as domestic policy and U.S.-Taiwan relations. His administration has faced opposition from the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which hold a majority in the Legislature, leading to challenges in policy implementation.

Lai proposed a national security briefing for opposition party leaders to foster political cooperation. Titus Chen, deputy director of the Institute of International Relations at National Chengchi University, noted that this initiative reflects Lai’s goodwill toward the opposition and suggests possible U.S. influence. Articles by scholars from U.S. think tanks have urged the U.S. government to manage Lai’s approach, indicating pressure from Washington.

Wen-Ti Sung, a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council, highlighted that the initiative aims to involve opposition parties in decision-making, demonstrating Lai’s efforts to build domestic consensus. The international community remains uncertain about Taiwan’s internal politics and its ability to pursue a cohesive defense policy.

In addressing U.S.-Taiwan relations, Lai used a biblical metaphor, emphasizing that friction among friends is natural and resolvable. This message was directed at an American audience, suggesting that despite disagreements, the U.S.-Taiwan partnership remains strong. Chen emphasized that Lai’s speech aimed to reassure Taiwanese society about the government’s ability to negotiate with the U.S.

Lai’s speech notably omitted direct references to China, marking a shift from previous addresses. Chen suggested that this aligns with the U.S.’s less confrontational approach toward China under President Trump, leaving Taiwan with limited options to emphasize the China threat. Sung added that this strategy helps Taiwan avoid geopolitical tensions amid changing U.S.-China relations.

In a media Q and A session, Lai referred to Beijing as an “aggressor,” a move advised by his aides to address the China issue without making it the focus of his main speech.