[The Chinese Communist Party](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/10/desperate-china-is-gearing-up-for-war/) claims the island as its own territory even though it has never ruled there. In recent years it has stepped up air and sea military drills as well as trade sanctions to try to bring Taiwan and its 23.5 million-strong population under its control.
“I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” Mr Lai told the Taiwanese public and foreign dignitaries during a keynote speech on Thursday to mark Taiwan’s National Day.
He urged China to join Taiwan in contributing to “peace, security, and prosperity” in the region and across the globe.
“As we stand here today, international tensions are on the rise, and each day countless innocents are suffering injuries or losing their lives in conflict,” he said.
“We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.”
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***The Telegraph reports:***
Taiwan’s new president [Lai Ching-te](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/20/taiwan-president-urges-china-cease-military-intimidation/) pledged on Thursday to “[resist annexation](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/01/01/china-xi-jinping-televised-pledge-absorb-taiwan-2029/)” in the face of growing military and economic pressure from Beijing to assert its territorial claims over the East Asian democracy.
[The Chinese Communist Party](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/10/desperate-china-is-gearing-up-for-war/) claims the island as its own territory even though it has never ruled there. In recent years it has stepped up air and sea military drills as well as trade sanctions to try to bring Taiwan and its 23.5 million-strong population under its control.
“I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” Mr Lai told the Taiwanese public and foreign dignitaries during a keynote speech on Thursday to mark Taiwan’s National Day.
He urged China to join Taiwan in contributing to “peace, security, and prosperity” in the region and across the globe.
“As we stand here today, international tensions are on the rise, and each day countless innocents are suffering injuries or losing their lives in conflict,” he said.
“We hope that China will live up to the expectations of the international community, that it will apply its influence and work with other countries toward ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.”
**Read more:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/10/new-taiwan-president-vows-resist-annexation-china/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/10/new-taiwan-president-vows-resist-annexation-china/)