Taipei. The president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, affirmed this Wednesday that the self-governing island will remain firm in the face of pressure from China.
“In addition to military force, China is increasingly employing non-traditional methods of coercion to try to subdue Taiwan,” Lai declared during a press conference one month into his term.
“However, Taiwan will not bow to pressure. The Taiwanese people will resolutely defend their national sovereignty and maintain their democratic and free way of life,” he added.
READ MORE: China warns that it will maintain military pressure on Taiwan
China has intensified military and political pressure on the Taipei government in recent years. Recently, he held military games around the island three days after Lai’s inauguration.
According to Beijing, the war exercises were a “punishment” for Lai’s inaugural speech, which it described as a “Taiwan independence confession.”
During his first month in office, Lai Ching-te reaffirms Taiwan’s resistance to threats from China. (Photo by the Presidential Office of Taiwan/ AFP) (HANDOUT/AFP)
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to recover it.
The United States on Tuesday announced approval of two arms sales to Taiwan, including $300 million in drones and $60.2 million in various equipment such as precision-guided missiles.
READ MORE: Taiwan president advocates working with the United States against ‘authoritarian expansionism’
Lai on Wednesday thanked Washington for support and reiterated the need to build “resilience” in Taiwan’s defense strategy.
“The people of Taiwan love peace and are kind to others, but peace must be backed by strength. Achieving peace through preparation is the way to avoid conflict,” said the president.
China calls Lai a “dangerous separatist.”
