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Critics from Beijing come after the Taiwanese president said the island territory would not bow to Chinese pressure.
China denounced Taiwan National Day Speech, in which President Tsai Ing-wen declared that her government would not yield to pressure from Beijing and would continue to strengthen the island’s defenses in order to protect its democratic way of life.
The Chinese Taiwan Affairs Bureau said on Sunday that Tsai’s speech incites confrontation and distorts the facts, adding that Taiwan’s quest for independence closes the door to dialogue. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a separatist province.
Tsai’s strong words on Sunday came a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping once again pledged to achieve “peaceful reunification” with the autonomous territory.
“No one should underestimate the strong determination, will and ability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Xi said.
Speaking earlier on Sunday, Tsai said Taiwan will continue to strengthen its defenses to ensure that no one can force the island to accept the path set by China, offering neither freedom nor democracy, and reiterated a call for talks with Beijing.
Growing military pressure
Taiwan is under increasing military and political pressure to accept the Beijing government, including many times Chinese Air Force Incursions in the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone.
Speaking in central Taipei during the island’s national day celebrations, which included a rare demonstration of Taiwanese defense capabilities, Tsai said his government would not act recklessly but should there should be absolutely no illusion that the Taiwanese people will give in to the pressure.
The speech was followed by a parade of a range of weapons, including missile launchers and armored vehicles, as fighter jets and helicopters hovered above.
The air power show was followed by a group of CM32 tanks and trucks carrying missile systems.
Officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan is a democratically governed island that lies approximately 161 km (100 miles) off the coast of mainland China.
China claims Taiwan as part of its national territory, although the island has been autonomous since its separation from the communist-ruled mainland in 1949 after a long civil war.
President Tsai, 65, is considered a separatist by Beijing for its refusal to recognize that Taiwan is part of “one China”.
Rob McBride of Al Jazeera, reporting from Hong Kong, called Tsai’s speech “provocative” and said it reflected “the current prevailing view in Taiwan, where the majority of the population is also resistant to violence. ‘increased pressure from mainland China’.
“Reunification with Taiwan has been the goal of Chinese presidents since the formation of the People’s Republic of China and Xi is determined to achieve it under his leadership,” McBride said.
Beijing has pledged to bring the island under its control with military force if necessary.
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