Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te reaffirmed on Friday (Oct 31) that the island will not accept China's "one country, two systems" proposal and emphasized the need to uphold Taiwan's freedom, democracy, and its determination to defend itself against Beijing's pressure for reunification. This statement came in response to China's recent warning, asserting that it would not rule out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. This was a shift from earlier, softer rhetoric in state media, which promised autonomy for Taiwan under a system similar to Hong Kong and Macau.

Speaking at a military base in northern Taiwan, Lai, whom China labels a "separatist," stressed that peace can only be achieved through strength. He stated that accepting Beijing's claims and sacrificing Taiwan's sovereignty would not lead to peace. "We must preserve the status quo with dignity and resolve, firmly opposing annexation, aggression, and forced unification," Lai declared. He further added, "We reject 'one country, two systems' because we will always uphold our free and democratic constitutional system."

No major political party in Taiwan supports China's proposal, and Lai underscored that Taiwan and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to one another, with Taiwan's sovereignty being inviolable. He emphasized that Taiwan's future must be determined solely by its people, and that defending its sovereignty and democratic values should not be seen as provocation. "Investing in national defense is investing in peace," Lai said.

As part of his defense strategy, Lai has promised to increase Taiwan's military spending to 5% of GDP by 2030, particularly in light of growing tensions with China. This was highlighted during a ceremony in Hukou where Taiwan unveiled its first battalion of M1A2T Abrams tanks, purchased from the United States. So far, Taiwan has received 80 of the 108 tanks it ordered.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the United States remains Taiwan's most significant international supporter and arms supplier. US law requires the provision of defense assistance to Taiwan, although President Donald Trump has not yet approved new arms sales since taking office. During a meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated American concerns about China's actions around Taiwan and in the South China Sea.