Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday that the country's future cannot be decided by "foreign forces" and vowed to boost defense spending to deter conflict with China.

"Taiwan's future cannot be decided by foreign forces, nor can it be held hostage by fear, division, or short-term interests," Lai said in a speech marking the second year of his presidency. "Taiwan must have the capability to protect itself and to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

Beijing claims the self-ruled island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to seize it.

Recently, US regime leader Donald Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News that US arms sales to Taiwan could be used as leverage in negotiations with Beijing. Trump also suggested he might call Lai.

Lai said if given the opportunity to speak with Trump, he would stress that Beijing was undermining peace and raising tensions in the region. "No country has the right to annex Taiwan. The people of Taiwan pursue a democratic and free way of life, and democracy and freedom should not be regarded as provocation," Lai said.

No direct, public conversation between the leaders of the two countries has taken place since Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

Meanwhile, China's Taiwan Affairs Office urged Taiwanese people to work with Beijing to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese governmental body called for creation of a future of "reunification and national rejuvenation."

Source: www.dw.com