Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed his government’s commitment to preserving the island’s freedom and peace during a National Day address on Saturday, emphasizing the need for enhanced defenses to deter potential aggression rather than to provoke conflict. Speaking outside the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai underscored that Taiwan’s people deserve recognition as a distinct community and insisted that peace cannot be sustained by wishes alone.

“Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up our freedom,” Lai said, stressing that while Taiwan is open to exchanges, it will not accept subordination. He framed Taiwan’s resolve as vital both for the island’s survival amid what he described as “authoritarian expansion” and as a test of the international community’s commitment to the principles of rule-based order and self-determination.

The speech quickly drew a sharp response from Beijing. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office accused Lai of distorting facts and harboring separatist intentions, asserting that Taiwan remains an integral part of China under the “one China” principle. Beijing’s spokesperson urged that Taiwan’s future must be determined jointly by all Chinese people, including those on the island. China, which has not ruled out the use of force to unify Taiwan, referred to Lai as a “separatist” and has discounted his recent offers for cross-strait dialogue.

Taiwan faces mounting military pressure from China, which has escalated its deployments and introduced advanced weaponry, including stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and missile systems. In response, Taipei has boosted its defense budget and modernized its armed forces. Lai highlighted that these efforts are aimed at deterrence to uphold peace and support dialogue conducted on equal footing with dignity.

At the National Day event, which included military parades and cultural performances, Lai invoked a metaphor from the Sermon on the Mount, calling Taiwan a “city upon a hill, built with courage and confidence.” He also echoed calls for democracies in the Indo-Pacific to collaborate in maintaining regional peace and stability.

The United States, Taiwan’s most significant international ally despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties, praised Lai’s dedication to peace. A senior U.S. official cautioned that routine speeches should not be met with coercive or aggressive responses, reflecting ongoing concerns about rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. This comes as the U.S. Congress has approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, with a subsequent $14 billion deal awaiting presidential approval.

Lai further expressed hope that the U.S. and China would continue to manage their rivalry through dialogue to reduce the risk of conflict, referencing last month’s summit in Washington between the two powers.

Taiwan’s National Day marks the anniversary of the 1911 uprising that ended China’s last imperial dynasty and led to the establishment of the Republic of China, which retreated to Taiwan after losing the 1949 civil war to the communists under Mao Zedong. Taiwan’s formal name remains the Republic of China.