Taiwan leader says “armed confrontation with China is not an option”

TAIPEI, Oct. 10 (DPA/EP) –

The president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing Wen, has promised this Monday that her objective is to boost the island’s combat capacity and has affirmed that the confrontation between Beijing and Taipei “is not an option”.

“I want to make it clear to the Beijing authorities that an armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our parties,” Tsai said in a National Day speech.

Despite this, the leader added that Taiwan is strengthening its national defense capabilities and the island “will assume responsibility for its own self-defense.”

Tsai has indicated that he is “increasing the mass production of high-performance precision missiles and naval vessels” as well as “small precision weapons” so that the island is “fully prepared to respond to external military threats.”

The president has also referred to the war in Ukraine as destabilizing elements in the region. “We absolutely cannot ignore the challenge that these military expansions pose to the free and democratic world order. These developments are inextricably linked to Taiwan,” she added.