On Thursday at his keynote national day speech, Lai said the People's Republic of China had no right to represent Taiwan, but that the island was willing to work with Beijing to combat challenges like climate change, striking both a firm and conciliatory tone, drawing anger from China.

It is “absolutely impossible” for Communist China to become Taiwan’s motherland because the island’s government is older, Taiwan’s president has said in a carefully timed speech that underscores the intense historical rivalry between the two.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday that it may take additional measures against Taiwan following an investigation revealing Taiwan’s trade-restrictive measures against the nation violate fair trade practices,