In his inaugural anniversary speech, President Lai Ching-te reiterated a willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue with China under conditions of 'equal dignity.' However, the Taiwan Affairs Office in China responded by insisting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, regardless of Lai's statements. In response, the head of the Mainland Affairs Council, Chiu Chui-cheng, countered that such remarks reflect outdated and rigid thinking.

Unlike previous speeches, Lai did not mention 'cross-Strait relations' this time, and China did not conduct any military drills, signaling a lower-key approach from both sides. The British media outlet, The Guardian, analyzed that Lai's dialogue represents a deliberately understated political language intended to avoid being dragged into a 'U.S.-China bargaining chip' scenario.

During this important speech, Lai had a friendly interaction with Sho Sakurai of the Japanese boy band Arashi, which drew significant media attention and sparked heated discussions in China. Some Chinese netizens expressed dissatisfaction, believing that Sakurai's involvement in sensitive political topics could hinder his future endeavors in China.

Looking back at previous 520 commemorations, the Chinese military typically initiated provocations, dispatching aircraft and vessels near Taiwan. However, this year has been significantly more subdued in military activities. Professor Huang Kuei-po of National Chengchi University noted that following U.S.-China talks in Geneva, there appears to be an understanding to avoid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

In summary, Lai's speech reflects a cautious policy choice, potentially indicating Taiwan's strategy to navigate its path amid great power pressures.