Taiwan leader defiant towards China in first National Day address

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday in his first National Day address that he would vow to resist any moves towards annexation or encroachment by Beijing.

"The Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to each other," Lai told a crowd attending the ceremony held on a square outside the presidential office in Taipei.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the self-ruled democracy to be part of its territory.

"On this land, democracy and freedom are growing and thriving. The People's Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan," Lai said.

Lai said, as president, his mission is to ensure that the nation endures and progresses, and to unite the 23 million people of Taiwan. "I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty," Lai said.

"We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East," Lai said.

Lai said that Taiwan was open to work with China to jointly tackle climate change, combat pandemics, and safeguard regional security, aiming for peaceful coexistence.

Lai vowed to further boost Taiwan’s resilience in four key areas: national defence, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy.

"As our society becomes better prepared, our nation grows more secure, and there is also greater peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.