Taiwan President Says Island Cherishes Peace but Will Not Surrender Freedom

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has declared that Taiwan values peace but will not surrender its freedom, as he called for greater regional cooperation and defended his administration’s efforts to strengthen the island’s military capabilities amid tensions with China.

Lai made the remarks on Saturday, October 10, during Taiwan’s National Day celebrations in Taipei, where he addressed thousands of people and foreign dignitaries gathered outside the Presidential Office.

“Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up our freedom. We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination,” Lai said, according to Reuters.

The president argued that strengthening Taiwan’s defences was intended to deter conflict rather than provoke Beijing. He said greater military investment would help ensure that any dialogue with China could take place on the basis of equality and dignity.

“We are strengthening our self-defence not to abandon dialogue, but to ensure that dialogue can take place on the basis of parity and dignity,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

Lai also urged democracies across the Indo-Pacific region to work together to preserve peace and stability, warning that the people of Taiwan must retain the right to determine their future.

His comments come as China continues to regard Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan, which operates under a democratic government, rejects Beijing’s claim to rule it.

Taiwan’s defence ministry reported that 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels had operated around the island during the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Thirteen of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line or entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone, the Associated Press reported.

Lai also welcomed dialogue between the United States and China, saying efforts to manage their competition could reduce the risk of conflict. However, he called on regional democracies to help maintain the existing situation across the Taiwan Strait.

The speech comes amid wider debate over Taiwan’s defence spending and arms purchases from the United States, its most important unofficial international security partner. Washington maintains unofficial relations with Taipei while recognising Beijing diplomatically.

China has repeatedly criticised Lai and accused him of promoting Taiwanese independence. Beijing had not immediately responded to his National Day speech at the time of Reuters’ report.

Taiwan marks National Day on October 10 in commemoration of the 1911 uprising that led to the overthrow of China’s last imperial dynasty. The Republic of China government later relocated to Taiwan in 1949, after losing the Chinese civil war to Communist forces.

Lai’s address reaffirmed his government’s position that Taiwan is open to dialogue but will continue strengthening its defences and resisting any attempt to determine the island’s future without the consent of its people.