(Taipei) Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen warned Beijing that the island will not back down on its democratic way of life Monday on National Taiwan Day.
Posted at 12:01 a.m.
“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 parallels with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which raised concerns in Taiwan about a similar invasion 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 said.
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.