Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te has said he will stand against any attempt at annexation or encroachment into the island’s territory. China claims the self-ruled democracy as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve its goal of unification.

Taiwan's President William Lai Ching-te vowed to protect Taiwan's sovereignty against China's claims. On Taiwan's National Day, he emphasized that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other. Lai promised to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait while calling for cooperation on mutual issues like climate change and regional security.

Taiwan’s President has used his National Day address to warn China has “no right to represent Taiwan” and that his mission is to “ensure our nation endures and prospers”, in comments tipped to trigger a furious reaction in Beijing and jitters in neighbouring Southeast Asia.