Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, known for his pro-U.S. and pro-independence stance, emphasized on Nov. 6 last year that Taiwan would cooperate with Japan to safeguard peace and prosperity in both countries, amid continuing tensions between China and Japan over remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in parliament suggesting possible Japanese intervention in a Taiwan contingency.

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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. In a prerecorded video address delivered at a recent event, Lai emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation with Japan. / Global Times (環球時報)

According to Beijing sources familiar with cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan on Nov. 3, Lai made the remarks in a prerecorded video address to the 12th Taiwan-Japan Exchange Summit held in Nagoya, Japan, the previous day, saying that Taiwan and Japan "share the values of freedom and democracy."

He also emphasized that Taiwan and Japan, both located along the First Island Chain — an imaginary line connecting Okinawa, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines — face common challenges from natural disasters and the threat of expanding authoritarianism.

"The peoples of both sides share deep bonds. We are a community of shared destiny that stands together through good times and bad," he said.

"Faced with a rapidly changing international environment, Taiwan and Japan can improve the well-being of their peoples and safeguard democracy, peace and prosperity only by joining hands, cooperating and supporting each other," Lai said.

"I hope that cooperation between Taiwan and Japan will deepen further at the grassroots level, exchanges will expand into various fields, and the friendly relationship between the two countries will become the best example for democratic partners," he added.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese media, citing a report by Nikkei Asia, said Taiwan and Japan are conducting negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive trade agreement by the end of this year.

According to the reports, the agreement is highly likely to follow a format similar to the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) signed between the United Kingdom and Taiwan in 2023.

It is also expected to cover five areas of cooperation: economic resilience and innovation, industrial cooperation for disaster reduction, digital trade, trade facilitation and sustainable development.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung neither confirmed nor denied the report. However, he expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement.

Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations under the Executive Yuan said only, "The government will not comment."

This could effectively be regarded as an acknowledgment of the reports.

It seems certain that China will soon express its displeasure. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait appear likely to persist for a considerable period.

                                                                                                            Hong Soon-do