Taiwan will not give in to pressure from China, says president Tsai Ing-wen
Audio 01:23
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during her National Day speech in Taipei on October 10, 2021. AP - Chiang Ying-ying
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The country of 24 million inhabitants claimed by China celebrated its national day this Sunday, October 10.
Festivities that take place at a time of maximum tension between Beijing and Taipei.
"
No one can force Taiwan to follow the path that China has mapped out for us,
" said the president, saying the island is "
on the front lines in defending democracy
."
Report this morning in front of the presidential palace in Taipei, where the official ceremony was held.
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With our correspondent in Taipei,
Adrien Simorre
Rap, dance and party favors in the Taipei sky.
The image of a country united in the face of its challenges is in any case what Ms. Xu wants to see, coming this Sunday morning with her husband: “
I fully support Taiwan and our government.
I think he is doing a good job defending our country.
What I hope is that our free and democratic system will never change.
"
The road has never been easy for our country, but the Taiwanese people have never been discouraged.
Democracy, sovereignty and freedom are the values we celebrate today on National Day 🇹🇼 pic.twitter.com/FwzMHvjpJE
- 賴清德 Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) October 10, 2021
These celebrations take place in a particularly tense context with Beijing.
Earlier this week, a record number of Chinese military planes were identified at the gates of Taiwan.
This Saturday, October 9, Xi Jinping
recalled his intention to annex Taiwan
, "
a historic duty
", according to the Chinese president.
►
To listen: Taiwan / China: why the tension is rising?
Sober military parade
As thunder rumbled in the sky over Taipei, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen sent her a message: “
We hope for an easing of relations with Beijing, but there is no doubt that the Taiwanese will not give in to the pressure.
Because the path that China offers us involves giving up our sovereignty and our democratic way of life.
"
The people of #Taiwan are committed to upholding our nation's sovereignty, democracy, security & prosperity.
In my National Day Address, I outlined four core commitments on which Taiwan is united.
Full text here:
- 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) October 10, 2021
The celebrations ended with a sober military parade.
Taiwanese tanks, missile launchers and helicopters are there to recall the message repeated over and over again by the Taiwanese government: "
We do not want war, but we will defend ourselves in the event of an invasion."
"
The military parade during the Taiwanese National Day celebrations in Taipei, October 20, 2021. © Adrien Simorre / RFI
►
See also: American soldiers secretly train the Taiwanese army, Beijing's strong reaction
Taiwan wants peace.
- Kolas Yotaka (@Kolas_Yotaka) October 7, 2021
Don't cross the line.
China again flew fighter jets into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone today.
Make no mistake, Taiwan wants peace but we will defend our people.
- 賴清德 Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) September 10, 2020
►
To read also: In Taipei, the French senators recall that "Taiwan is not alone"
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