BEIJING, CHINA - OCTOBER 24: Chinese President Xi Jinping vote at the closing of the 19th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People on October 24, 2017 in Beijing, China. The 19th CPC National Congress is going to run 7 days and a new central committee of CPC will be produced. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

China denounces Taiwan President national day speech

On Oct 11, 2021

China has denounced Taiwan’s national day speech, during which President Tsai Ing-wen said her government will not bow down to pressure from Beijing and will continue to bolster the island’s defences in order to protect its democratic way of life.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said that Tsai’s speech incited confrontation and distorted facts, seeking Taiwan independence closes the door to dialogue. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province.

Tsai’s strong words on Sunday came a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised once again to realise peaceful reunification with the self-ruled territory.

“No one should underestimate the Chinese people’s strong determination will and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Tsai said Taiwan will keep bolstering its defences to ensure nobody can force the island to accept the path China has laid down, offering neither freedom nor democracy, and repeated a call for talks with Beijing.

Kamila/Al-Jazeera