🇺🇸🇹🇼🇨🇳⚡️- Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te declared that Taiwan will not surrender its freedom or accept subordination to Beijing during his National Day address, while calling on Indo-Pacific democracies to work together to preserve regional stability.

Lai also defended Taiwan's expanding military capabilities, which he said are intended to deter war and ensure that any future dialogue with Beijing takes place on equal terms.

China quickly condemned the speech, accusing Lai of promoting separatism. Washington welcomed his commitment to peace and stability, while warning that his remarks provide no justification for Chinese military coercion. A proposed $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan remains pending.