Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, who was visiting the frontline island to commemorate a major battle between Chinese and Taiwanese forces, said that Taiwan rejects being controlled by China's Communist Party.

China's military conducted another round of maneuvers around Taiwan while Lai made his comments, underscoring the ongoing efforts by Beijing to undermine regional stability.

Taiwan controls the Kinmen and Matsu Islands, located just off the coast of China, ever since the defeated Republic of China fled to Taipei after losing the civil war against Mao Zedong’s communists in 1949. There has never been a peace treaty signed or an armistice.

China's coastguard has been patrolling around Kinmen since February, after two Chinese died on a speedboat that Beijing blamed on Taipei.

Lai, on his first visit to Kinmen after taking office in May laid a wreath at a memorial for the 66th Anniversary of a clash between Chinese and Taiwan Strait forces. This was the beginning of the second Taiwan Strait Crisis.

Lai, who was speaking spontaneously to veterans at a luncheon, said that he had grown up hearing stories about the battle because his uncle had served in Kinmen.

Lai said that Taiwan must be prepared to resist China's threat.

"Our goal is to hope for a peaceful development of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is a nation that loves peace fervently. "The people of Taiwan are very kind," he added.

"We no longer try to retake mainland. We are not willing to be ruled over by the communists. We want to live a life of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of the law. Right?" Lai replied to the shouts of "yes"

Taiwan's Defence Ministry announced shortly after Lai returned home that it detected 27 Chinese military planes flying around the Taiwan Strait Friday. They were conducting a "joint readiness patrol" along with Chinese warships. The ministry did not specify a specific location.

The ministry used its usual language when China conducts such activities. The ministry provides almost daily reports of Chinese air force and navy missions around Taiwan.

The Chinese defence ministry didn't immediately reply to a question about whether Lai visited Kinmen during the last combat patrol.

TAIWAN BURNING SPENDING ON DEFENCE

Lai said that the Taiwanese Government continues to spend more money on the military, and will defend Taiwan's sovereignty.

Taiwan's defense spending is expected to rise 7.7% in the next year. This will outpace economic growth expectations, as Taiwan adds fighter planes and missiles, strengthening its deterrence from a growing threat from Beijing.

China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly denounced Lai as a "separatist". He rejects Beijing’s sovereignty, saying that only Taiwan’s people can determine their future. However, he has offered to talk with China.

Jessica Chen, Kinmen’s member of parliament for Taiwan’s largest opposition party Kuomintang wrote on social media Friday that her house should "not turn into a warzone".

She added that "the two sides of Taiwan Strait require peace" after meeting Song Tao, head of China's Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, on Thursday, to discuss the reopening of the islands for Chinese tourists.

Kinmen is located less than 2 km (1.2 miles), from Chinese controlled territory.

The crisis of 1958 was the last major battle between Taiwanese and Chinese forces.

In August that year, Chinese troops began a bombardment lasting more than a full month against Kinmen and Matsu. This included naval and aerial battles to try to subdue them.

The crisis ended with a deadlock, but Taiwan was able to fight back thanks to the support of the United States. Taiwan celebrates the 23rd of August every year to commemorate the day it defeated the Chinese attack.

Kinmen, formerly known as Quemoy, is now a popular tourist attraction, although Taiwan retains a large military presence. (Reporting and editing by Michael Perry; Additional reporting in Beijing by Ryan Woo; Writing by Ben Blanchard)

(source: Reuters)