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Taiwan’s President Says Democracy Must Not Become ‘China’s Taiwan’ · GNN Daily Breaking News

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Taiwan's president has issued one of her strongest warnings yet
• 0:03
  Speaker 1: against Beijing's ambitions, declaring that the island must remain democratic
• 0:08
  Speaker 1: and must not be turned into China's Taiwan. The remarks
• 0:12
  Speaker 1: came during a national address where she emphasized the importance
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: of safeguarding Taiwan's political system and resisting external pressure. The
• 0:21
  Speaker 1: statement reflects growing concern over China's escalating military and diplomatic
• 0:26
  Speaker 1: campaign to assert control over Taiwan. Beijing has repeatedly insisted
• 0:31
  Speaker 1: that the island is part of its territory, vowing eventual
• 0:34
  Speaker 1: reunification by force if necessary. Taiwan's leadership, however, continues to
• 0:40
  Speaker 1: reject those claims, insisting that its future must be determined
• 0:44
  Speaker 1: by its people. In her speech, the president framed Taiwan's
• 0:48
  Speaker 1: democracy as a defining feature of its identity. She argued
• 0:52
  Speaker 1: that the island's freedom's institutions and vibrant civil society distinguish
• 0:57
  Speaker 1: it from authoritarian systems and must be protected at all costs.
• 1:01
  Speaker 1: We are Taiwan, not China's Taiwan, she said, drawing applause
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  Speaker 1: from supporters. The comments come amid heightened tensions in the
• 1:09
  Speaker 1: Taiwan Strait. China has stepped up military exercises near the island,
• 1:14
  Speaker 1: sending warplanes and naval vessels into surrounding waters. At the
• 1:18
  Speaker 1: same time, Beijing has intensified diplomatic pressure, urging countries to
• 1:23
  Speaker 1: cut ties with Taipei and recognize its One China policy.
• 1:28
  Speaker 1: International reaction has been mixed. The United States and several
• 1:32
  Speaker 1: allies have reaffirmed support for Taiwan's democracy, warning China against coercion.
• 1:38
  Speaker 1: Washington continues to provide arms and training to Taiwan's military,
• 1:43
  Speaker 1: citing the need to deter aggression. Meanwhile, some nations remain cautious,
• 1:48
  Speaker 1: balancing economic ties with Beijing against concerns over regional stability. Domestically,
• 1:55
  Speaker 1: the president's remarks serve as a rallying cry. Taiwan faces,
• 1:59
  Speaker 1: in turn, ernal debates over how best to manage relations
• 2:02
  Speaker 1: with China, but the majority of citizens consistently express support
• 2:06
  Speaker 1: for maintaining the island's democratic system and resisting unification under
• 2:11
  Speaker 1: Beijing's terms. Analysts say the speech underscores Taiwan's determination to
• 2:16
  Speaker 1: assert its identity on the global stage by framing the
• 2:19
  Speaker 1: issue as one of democracy versus authoritarianism. The president seeks
• 2:24
  Speaker 1: to strengthen international solidarity and highlight the stakes of the confrontation.
• 2:29
  Speaker 1: For Beijing, the comments are likely to be seen as provocative,
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  Speaker 1: reinforcing its narrative that Taiwan is defying historical and legal realities.
• 2:39
  Speaker 1: For Taipei, they represent a reaffirmation of sovereignty and a
• 2:43
  Speaker 1: call to unity in the face of mounting pressure. As
• 2:46
  Speaker 1: tensions continue to rise, the president's declaration that Taiwan must
• 2:51
  Speaker 1: not become China's Taiwan encapsulates the island's struggle, a fight
• 2:56
  Speaker 1: to preserve democracy, autonomy, and identity in the shadow of
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  Speaker 1: a powerful neighbor determined to reshape its future.