Taiwan’s President Lai says will ‘resist annexation or encroachment’

Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te has said he will stand against any attempt at annexation or encroachment into the island’s territory.

China asserts that it has a self-governing democracy as its own and has not rejected the use of force to achieve its unification goal.

It has ratcheted up pressure on Taiwan since Lai, who it portrays as a “separatist”, was elected president in January.

Addressing the island’s 23 million people, Lai began his first National Day speech by expressing his pride in Taiwan’s democracy.

“Our democracy is growing and thriving”, he said, standing at a podium set up in front of the presidential office. “The People’s Republic of China]China’s official name] has no right to represent the people of Taiwan”.

He urged Taiwanese citizens to look to the future and claimed that even in disagreements, they could work together.

“I will uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment on our sovereignty”, he said.

Still, Lai’s tone for much of the speech was pragmatic.

He expressed his desire to work with Beijing on issues like climate change, battling infectious diseases, and “maintaining regional security to pursue peace and mutual prosperity for the wellbeing of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.”