Talking on Taiwan's Nationwide Day on Monday, Tsai stated China mustn't mistake Taiwan's multiparty democratic political system for weak point and "try to divide Taiwanese society".
"I need to clarify to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is completely not an choice for our two sides," Tsai stated.
"Solely by respecting the dedication of the Taiwanese folks to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom can there be a basis for resuming constructive interplay throughout the Taiwan Strait," she stated.
Fighter jets and a Chinook helicopter displaying Taiwan's flag flew overhead whereas the band from Taipei's First Ladies' Excessive Faculty performed hits starting from the Beatles to Girl Gaga.
Nationwide Day festivities included worldwide visitors akin to Palau President Surangel S Whipps Jr, whose nation's blue and yellow flag flew alongside Taiwan's purple banner with its blue sq. and white star.
The vacation evokes Taiwan's endurance as a separate political entity with a thriving democracy and free press.
Generally called "Double 10" in Taiwan, it commemorates a 1911 rebellion by troops within the Chinese language metropolis of Wuhan that ultimately led to downfall of the Qing Dynasty. China's Communist Social gathering swept the Nationalist authorities from the mainland amid civil struggle in 1949 and continues to say the island.
In response, Overseas Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China's long-held stance that "Taiwan is .... not an impartial state and has no so-called president".
"The basis trigger of the present tensions within the Taiwan Strait is that the (ruling Democratic Progressive Social gathering) authorities have been clinging to Taiwan independence and colluding with exterior forces to make provocations," Mao informed reporters at a day by day briefing.
"We're able to create a large area for peaceable reunification, however won't ever go away any room for secessionist actions of Taiwan independence."
Tsai's speech centered largely on Taiwan's success in strengthening the social safety internet for an ageing society and rising its high-tech economic system regardless of the pandemic.
However she additionally emphasised Taiwan's efforts to guard itself, with elevated imports of international hardware, revitalisation of its home arms trade and upgraded coaching for reserves.
Tsai singled out Taiwan's submarine growth program and the supply of its first domestically developed and constructed 10,000-tonne touchdown platform dock, Yushan, as specific successes.
Russia's struggle on Ukraine has refocused consideration on China and on methods Taiwan can resist a a lot bigger and extra highly effective foe geared up with the world's largest standing military and an enormous arsenal of missiles.
That was additional underscored when China launched threatening navy workouts across the island in response to a go to to Taiwan in early August by US Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Regardless of Beijing's threats, US and different international diplomats have continued to go to Taiwan and Washington's dedication to Taiwan's protection seems solely to have grown.
Though Taipei and Washington don't have any formal diplomatic relations — a concession made to Beijing on the institution of official ties in 1979 — US regulation requires that Taipei has the power to defend itself. It additionally requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as issues of "grave concern".
That dedication rests on an idea of "strategic ambiguity", whereby Washington insists Taiwan's standing should be resolved peacefully however doesn't say if US forces is perhaps despatched in response to a Chinese language assault.
As China has ramped up its threats, that idea has eroded. President Joe Biden, in a CBS 60 Minutes interview final month, stated that "US forces, US women and men, would defend Taiwan within the occasion of a Chinese language invasion".
The White Home stated after the interview that US coverage towards Taiwan hasn't modified.
Final month, the Biden administration introduced a US$1.09 billion ($1.7 billion) arms sale to Taiwan, together with US$355 million for Harpoon air-to-sea missiles; US$85 million for Sidewinder air-to-air missile and a US$655 million logistics help bundle for Taiwan's surveillance radar program, which offers air protection warnings.
China accuses the US of 'navigation bullying'
China, in the meantime, refuses to acknowledge Taiwanese self-determination or recognise Tsai's authorities. The 2 sides haven't had any formal contacts the primary of her two phrases started in 2016.
Aside from navy threats, Beijing blocks Taiwan from collaborating in worldwide well being, financial and cultural boards and has banned some imports from the island in obvious violation of World Commerce Organisation guidelines.