The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's top agency handling cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, rejected China's criticism of President Lai Ching-te's National Day address and condemned it for trying to "turn Taiwan into another Hong Kong."
In his National Day address, President Lai Ching-te expressed goodwill to China and called for it to act responsibly and work with Taiwan to maintain the prevailing state of peace, stability, and prosperity.
China launched military exercises around Taiwan on Monday, with planes and ships encircling the self-ruled island, according to Beijing's Defence Ministry.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence has announced three major joint exercises to be held from late October to early November, aimed at strengthening the island's defence capabilities in response to China's ongoing military activities
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Friday warned China against taking any "provocative" action on Taiwan after Beijing lashed out over an annual speech on Double Ten National Day by island-country President Lai Ching-te.
President Lai Ching-te, in his National Day address on Thursday, reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait while also expressing the nation's readiness to collaborate with China to address global issues.
He said that his "mission" as president was to "ensure that our nation endures and progresses" and "resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty."
US Representative Debbie Lesko along with fellow representatives Andy Biggs and Carol Miller arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for bilateral talks with government officials, Taiwan News reported.
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) stated that it detected 15 Chinese military aircraft and 7 naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Friday and 6 am (local time) on Saturday.
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) stated that it detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Thursday and 6 am (local time) on Friday.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that 43 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels were detected around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Wednesday and 6 am (local time) on Friday
Taiwan's military has been placed on high alert after China intensified its military presence around the island, sparking concerns of a potential escalation. According to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, six Chinese naval vessels and two military aircraft were detected around Taiwan wi