Taiwan cherishes peace

Taiwan cherishes peace but will not give up its freedom, and there must be respect for the right of Taiwan’s people to exist, President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday in his national day speech. Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military and political pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei. Taiwan is ramping up defence spending and modernising its armed forces, but faces a China that has a far larger military and is adding advanced new weapons such as stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers and a huge array of missiles. Speaking outside the presidential office, Lai said that peace cannot rely solely on “wishes”. China continues to apply military pressure and Taiwan’s resolve is about whether the international community still believes that force cannot override rules, and that the powerful cannot strip a people of their right to determine their own future, he added. “Ta