Taiwan vows to resist China’s mounting pressure, says sovereignty is non-negotiable

Taiwan's top official in charge of China-related matters on Thursday (September 12) declared that the island, which is democratically governed, will never bow to the increasing pressure from a "more aggressive" Beijing.

Escalating tensions in Taiwan

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has long insisted that it will not rule out the use of force to bring the self-governed island under its control. In recent years, Beijing has increased its military and political pressure on Taiwan, with frequent deployments of warplanes, drones, and naval vessels in the area around the island.

Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for handling China issues, stated on Thursday that Beijing's efforts to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty pose a significant threat to peace and stability in the region.

"Despite this unprecedented pressure, our resolve to protect our sovereignty and democratic system has never been stronger. This is our bottom line," Chiu said during a speech in English at a defence forum in Taipei.

He continued, "On this point, there is no room for compromise. We never succumb to the sabre-rattling and intensifying pressure from China."

Chiu also warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping's approach to Taiwan is likely to becomeeven more assertive and aggressive, driven by his goal of achieving "national unification" with Taiwan. "This ambition is no doubt the root causes of risks in the Taiwan Strait," he explained.

China continues to maintain a strong military presence around Taiwan and in the nearby South China Sea, reinforcing its territorial claims. On Thursday, Taiwan's defence ministry reported that 29 Chinese military aircraft, eight naval vessels, and one official ship had been spotted over a 24-hour period, ending at 6 a.m. local time.

In May, just three days after Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te assumed office, China conducted military drills simulating a blockade of the island. Lai, like his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, firmly rejects China's claim over Taiwan. Beijing has labelled him a "dangerous separatist."

(With inputs from agencies)