Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen declared on Monday that armed conflict between Taiwan and China is “absolutely not an option,” and she also vowed to strengthen the island’s defenses and reaffirm her willingness to hold talks with Beijing.
Democratic Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, is under increasing military and political pressure from Beijing, particularly in the wake of Chinese war games that took place in early August after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei.
Tsai said it was “regrettable” that China has increased its intimidation and threatened peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and region during her national day speech outside the presidential office.
According to her, China should not believe that Taiwan’s people are willing to compromise on their devotion to democracy and freedom.
I want the Beijing authorities to know that armed conflict is not at anyway an option for our two sides. There can only be a basis for restarting fruitful communication across the Taiwan Strait if we appreciate Taiwan’s people’s dedication to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom.
Tsai stated that her government anticipated a gradual post-pandemic restoration of healthy and orderly cross-strait interactions between people, which would reduce tensions.
However, she continued, Taiwan will demonstrate to the world that it is taking charge of its own defense.
Taiwan is aiming to acquire compact, highly mobile weaponry to ensure that Taiwan is fully equipped to counter “foreign military threats,” according to Tsai. Taiwan is also stepping up mass production of precision missiles and high-performance navy boats.
For Taiwan to be able to pose a more credible deterrence against China, which is stepping up an aggressive military modernization program, she has made bolstering Taiwan’s defenses a cornerstone of her administration.