Taiwan leader vows island will be democratic ‘for generations’

Taiwan’s leader, Tsai Ing-wen, delivered a speech in front of Presidential Hall in Taipei on 10 October, Taiwan’s National Day. Photo by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday that democracy had thrived on the island despite increased Chinese pressure, and vowed that its people would remain “free for generations”.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, and has in recent years stepped up military and political pressure against Tsai’s administration.

Taiwan sees near-daily Chinese warplanes incursions around the island, while on the international stage, Beijing has poached its diplomatic allies in a bid to isolate it.

In a National Day speech, Tsai said it was her duty to “safeguard our national sovereignty and the democratic and free way of life” of Taiwan’s 23 million people.

“In the midst of tremendous internal…