The president of Taiwan says her nation will not bow down to the growing pressure and influence of China

The leader spoke at an address at Taiwan’s National Day and the comments come after China’s President vowed to “fulfil reunification” with Taiwan.

Taiwan sees itself as its own sovereign state, whilst Beijing views the island nation as a breakaway province that could be brought under its control by force, if necessary.

Over recent weeks, Beijing has ordered the deployment of a record number of military jets to fly through Taiwan’s military airspace… generating global concerns.

Taiwan’s defence minister says three Chinese planes, including two fighter jets, crossed into the zone on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in her speech, the president says Taiwan is “standing on democracy’s first line of defence” and the country will bolster its defences to “ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us”.