Taiwan President Lai vows to resist annexation amid China's growing pressure

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has vowed to resolutely "resist annexation" in the face of China's growing military and political pressure on Taipei — which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

During Taiwan's National Day Celebrations, Lai vowed that he "will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty".

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Not subordinate

Lai, as per reports, remarked that his nation and China were "not subordinate to each other" and that Beijing had "no right to represent Taiwan".

Speaking in front of an audience that included Tsai and pro-independence former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian, Lai said: "Our determination to defend our national sovereignty remains unchanged."

"Our efforts to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait remain unchanged," Lai said in front of the Presidential Office.

Also among the guests were foreign guests, including three members of the US Congress, as well as representatives from some of the 12 states that still have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo.

In his speech, the Taiwanese President alsoexpressed hope for "healthy and orderly dialogue and exchanges" with Beijing, and urged the nationto use its influence to help end conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

This comes as Beijing has ramped up pressure on the self-ruled island to accept its territorial claims. Under Lai, the relations between the two nations have remained tense, especially as China has not ruled out the use of force to fulfil its claims, and bring Taipei under its control.

More outspoken than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan's sovereignty, Lai has angered Beijing, which has labelled him "separatist".

(With inputs from agencies)