Taiwan celebrates National Day despite heightened tensions with China: Video
On October 10, 2024, Taiwan marked its National Day with a grand parade in Taipei, celebrating the anniversary of the 1911 Wuchang Uprising, which led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the creation of the Republic of China.
However, the festivities were shadowed by growing military and political pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.
President Lai Ching-te, in his National Day address, reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to resist any efforts by China to annex the democratic island. "We will resist annexation," Lai declared, as China continues to ramp up military activities around Taiwan, including potential military exercises timed to coincide with the celebrations.
Voices from the Taiwanese public reflected both support for independence and concerns over escalating tensions. "Taiwan's status needs international support to maintain the status quo with China," commented Sophie, a 25-year-old student. Meanwhile, overseas Taiwanese, like Susan Hung, expressed fears over the People’s Liberation Army's activities around the island, worried that the situation could escalate into a larger conflict.
Despite severed official communications since 2016, Taiwan maintains strong ties with the United States, its largest arms supplier and key international partner. Washington warned that China might use Taiwan's National Day as a pretext for military provocations.
Taiwanese also advocated for peaceful collaboration with mainland China, with Richard Chen, a local businessman, suggesting that economic cooperation could ease political friction.
