Taiwan warns Beijing there will be ‘no room for compromise’ on democracy

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen warned Beijing that her country will not give up on its democratic way of life on Monday, October 10, on the occasion of National Taiwan Day. “The broadest consensus among the Taiwanese people and our various political parties is that we must defend our national sovereignty and our free and democratic way of life”she said, emphasizing: “on this point, we leave no room for compromise. »

In her National Day speech, the leader drew a parallel with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which raised concerns in Taiwan about a similar attempt by Beijing. She compared the conflict in Ukraine with the Chinese goal of one day taking control of Taiwan.

“We absolutely cannot ignore the risks that these military expansions pose to the free and democratic world order. These developments are inextricably linked to Taiwan”she pointed out.

Defend yourself

“I want to make it clear to the authorities in Beijing that an armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides”Tsai Ing-wen also said, calling for respect for Taiwan’s sovereignty and freedoms to allow a resumption of “constructive interactions” in the Taiwan Strait.

But the island will also demonstrate that it takes its responsibilities to ensure its own defense, explained the Taiwanese president, specifying that Taipei would accelerate the production of precision missiles and advanced ships, while procuring ultramobile weapons in order to to be able to respond to “external military threats”.

The 23 million inhabitants of Taiwan live under the constant threat of an invasion from Beijing, which considers the island as part of its territory to be reconquered one day, and if necessary by force.