By Yi-Chin Lee

HUKOU, Taiwan (Reuters) -Taiwan does not want China’s “one country, two systems” and must uphold its freedom and democracy, and resolve to defend itself, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday, rejecting Beijing’s latest push to get the island to come under Chinese control.

China said this week it “absolutely will not” rule out using force over Taiwan, striking a much tougher tone than a series of articles in state media that pledged benign rule if the island comes over to Beijing under a system of autonomy it uses for Hong Kong and Macau.

Lai, whom China views as a “separatist”, told soldiers at a military base in northern Taiwan’s Hukou that only strength can bring true peace.

“Accepting the aggressor’s claims and abandoning sovereignty certainly cannot achieve peace. T

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