Taiwan does not want China's 'one country, two systems,' president says

Taiwan does not want China’s “one country, two systems” and must uphold its freedom and democracy, and resolve to defend itself, President Lai Ching-te said.

HUKOU, Taiwan — Taiwan does not want China’s “one country, two systems” and must uphold its freedom and democracy, and resolve to defend itself, President Lai Ching-te said Friday, rejecting Beijing’s latest push to get the island to come under Chinese control.

China said this week that it “absolutely will not” rule out using force over Taiwan, striking a much tougher tone than a series of articles in state media that pledged benign rule if the self-ruling island comes over to Beijing under a system of autonomy it uses for Hong Kong and Macau.

Lai, whom China views as a “separatist,” told soldiers at a military base in northern Taiwan’s Hukou that only strength can bring true peace.

“Accepting the aggressor’s claims and abandoning sovereignty certainly cannot achieve peace. Therefore, we must maintain the status quo with dignity and resolve, firmly opposing annexation, aggression, and the forced advancement of unification,” he said.

“We reject ‘one country, two systems’ because we will forever uphold our free and democratic constitutional system,” Lai added.