Taiwan rules out armed conflict with China

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday ruled out armed confrontation with China as she vowed to boost Taiwan's military capacity. 

"I want to make clear to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides," Tsai said while speaking on Taiwan's National Day.

Tsai also expressed hope that, as the pandemic eases and border restrictions loosen in China and Taiwan, it would lead to "easing tensions in the Taiwan Strait."

Taiwan plans to boost defense capability

Announcing plans of mass-producing precision missiles and navy vessels, as well as other weapons, Tsai said that "Taiwan is fully prepared to respond to external military threats."

She added that Taiwan was strengthening its defense capabilities and that the island "will take responsibility for our own self-defense." 

Tsai said China should not mistake differences within Taiwan's multiparty democratic political
system for weakness and "attempt to divide Taiwanese society."

"Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy and freedom can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait," she said.

At the National Day parade, fighter jets and a Chinook helicopter displaying Taiwan's flag flew overhead. A high school band played hits ranging from the Beatles to Lady Gaga.

Heightened tensions

Monday's address comes amid growing regional tensions with China.

In August, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan's capital Taipei caused sparked Beijing's anger. China protested the visit by conducting military drills around Taiwan.

The self-governed island is claimed by China as its own territory. Although the US has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has reiterated its commitment to help the island defend itself. 

Tsai also said that Russia's war against Ukraine and China's military activity in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait were connected with the fate of Taiwan and were undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

tg/fb  (dpa, AP, Reuters)