President Lai Ching-te says he believes Taiwan must show "firm opposition to
annexation, opposition to invasion, and opposition to advancing unification."

The statement comes days after China's Taiwan Affairs Office said peaceful
"reunification" under the "one country, two systems" model is the fundamental
approach to "resolving the Taiwan issue" ..

China added it was willing to create ample space for peaceful reunification
and will spare no effort to pursue this prospect with the utmost sincerity -
but Beijing will absolutely will not renounce the use of force and reserve
the option to take all necessary measures.

During an Armed Forces promotion ceremony at the Presidential Office, Lai
said investment in national defense is investment in peace - while
strengthening national defense is not a provocation but is aimed at
"maintaining the status quo and protecting Taiwan's democracy."

And he said Taiwan needed to show "determination to defend its homeland."

Three officers were promoted to the rank of major general at the ceremony,
which was also attended by Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an,
National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, and defense minister
Wellington Koo.