TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – China has developed into an extreme authoritarian state since the advent of its leader Xi Jinping (習近平) and Taiwan cannot accept its “one China principle,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said in his opening speech at the Taipei Security Dialogue on Thursday (Sept. 12).

The event organized by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) featured speakers including former United States Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft and former Australia Defense Minister Marise Payne. The focus of speeches was on the threat posed by China to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the rest of the world.

Chiu described the Chinese government as authoritarian, Radio Taiwan International reported. As Beijing had no democratic management or balance, there was no way of telling how China would continue to develop, while also reinforcing regional chaos and unease, Chiu said.

While Taiwan has been defending the status quo, Beijing had been raising tensions by increasing its military threats and planning to destroy Taiwan’s sovereignty, as well as the region’s stability, according to the minister. He said Taiwan would protect democracy without provoking China, as preventing conflict was a consensus in Taiwan society.

Chiu said Taipei hoped to sit down and conduct discussions with Beijing on an equal basis in order to safeguard the peaceful development of the region.