Taiwan condemns China's 'dictatorship' on 70th anniversary of Communist rule
Parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China
Taiwan's government on Tuesday condemnedChina's"dictatorship" on the70thanniversaryof the founding of the People's Republic, saying the country was a threat to peace and trying to find excuses for its military expansion.
Defeated Nationalist forces fled toTaiwanin 1949 after losing a civil war to theCommunists. China claims now democraticTaiwanas its sacred territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Beijing's control.
President Xi Jinping, addressing a massive military parade in Beijing to mark seven decades ofCommunistPartyrule, said China would promote the peaceful development of relations withTaiwanand "continue to strive for the motherland's complete reunification".
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, responding to the parade and Xi's comments, saidTaiwanwould never accept "one country, two systems", the model of supposedly high autonomy Hong Kong and Macau have, which Beijing sees as eventually being the best way to winTaiwanover.
"The ChineseCommunistParty has persisted with its one-party dictatorship for 70 years, a concept of governance that violates the values of democracy, freedom and human rights, causing risks and challenges for the development of mainland China," it said.
"It's shouting about the struggle for unity, great rejuvenation and unification is only an excuse for military expansion, seriously threatening regional peace and world democracy and civilisation."
Taiwanhas been democratic for more than 30 years, and China should use this moment to reflect and push for democracy, it added.
"The lifeline of the survival and development of mainland China is not tied to one person and one party," the council said.
Taiwanwill not be bullied into acceptingChina'sposition, it added.
China has heaped pressure onTaiwanPresident Tsai Ing-wen, who faces re-election in January, believing she wishes to push for the island's formal independence, a red line for Beijing.
China has also been angered for expressions of support fromTaiwanfor anti-government protests in Hong Kong, which are expected again on Tuesday.
"We are a country of democracy and freedom and will show support for anyone in the world who pursues democracy and freedom," Tsai told reporters on Tuesday.
"Likewise, anyruler should carefully listen to the people's pursuit of freedom and democracy and respect the people's will", Tsai added.