President Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan will not bow to pressure from China and will continue its democratic way of life, as tensions over the island continue.
"The more we achieve, the greater the pressure we face from China," Ms Tsai said.
Her speech on Taiwan's National Day came after China's President Xi Jinping vowed to "fulfil reunification".
Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, while China views it as a breakaway province.
Beijing has not ruled out the possible use of force to achieve unification.
Source: BBC News