Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has said the island will not give up its freedom, stressing that strengthening its defenses is intended to deter war rather than provoke it.

Axar.az reports, citing the Associated Press, that Lai made the remarks during a speech marking Taiwan’s National Day on Saturday, amid continued tensions with China.

Lai said Beijing had been exerting pressure to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, adding that Taiwan’s determination was linked to defending both its own survival and the principle that force cannot override international rules.

“We are strengthening our self-defense not to abandon dialogue, but to ensure that dialogue can take place on the basis of parity and dignity,” Lai said.

He also welcomed dialogue between China and the United States to manage their rivalry and reduce the risk of conflict, while calling on Indo-Pacific democracies to work together to preserve regional peace and stability.

China criticised Lai’s speech, accusing him of promoting independence and stoking confrontation across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported that 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operated around the island in the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday.