Chinese state newspaper The Global Times slammed Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s National Day speech in which she declared Taiwan would not bow to pressure from China—accusing Tsai of “arrogance.”

“What the DPP is doing is a fundamental betrayal, and this shares the same origins of their rejection of Chinese identity,” the Times editorial said, referring to Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party.

During her remarks on October 10, Tsai said there should be “no illusions that the Taiwanese people will bow to pressure” from China.

Tensions flare as Chinese flights near Taiwan intensify

“We will continue to bolster our national defence and demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves in order to ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us,” Tsai said.

Tsai’s remarks came after Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed not to tolerate any “external interference” regarding the “Taiwan question.”

China could invade Taiwan in 2025, warns Taiwanese Defense Minister

China has sent a record number of military jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone for four days in a row, prompting the US to express serious concern over Beijing’s “provocative” actions.

The Chinese military activity was destabilising, and “risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said on October 3.

Chinese officials also condemned former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for voicing concern that China could “lash out disastrously very soon” over Taiwan.

“His recent despicable and insane performance in Taiwan fully exposed his hideous anti-China features. This will only further discredit him,” the Chinese embassy in Australia said, slamming Abbott as a “failed and pitiful politician.”

A Chinese military plane made a record 150 flights into Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state. 

In show of strength, China flies record 56 warplanes toward self-ruled Taiwan

Speaking at an event in Beijing recently, Xi said the biggest obstacle to the reunification of China was the “Taiwan independence” force.

The Taiwan question will be resolved as national rejuvenation becomes a reality, Xi said.

“This is determined by the general trend of Chinese history, but more importantly, it is the common will of all Chinese people,” Xi said. Taiwan, which considers itself a sovereign state, separated from the PRC in 1949 while fighting a civil war with the CPC headed by Mao Zedong.