People in Taiwan resolutely refuses so-called one country, two systems: Taiwanese Presidential office counters Xi Jinping

Presidential Office Spokesperson Chang Tun-han was cited in a statement as sayingby Taiwan News that Taiwan is a sovereign country and its people believe in and insist on democracy and freedom.

He said that the majority of Taiwan’s citizens have made it clear that 'We resolutely refuse ‘one country, two systems'."

Taiwan has a population of 23 million people.

Taiwan sees itself as an independent nation.

However, China considers it as a breakaway region.

Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping heaped praises on the Communist Party's rule as he opened the five-yearly Congress attended by selected delegates who are likely to affirm his third term as the party's chief, media reports said.

He said China has established control over Hong Kong, turning it from chaos to governance, and condemned the external support to Taiwan, calling it interference.

China had imposed sweeping national security law to muzzle pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.

Beijing had "demonstrated resolve and ability to safeguard China's sovereignty…and to oppose Taiwan independence", he said addressing the Communist Party delegates at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, according to BBC.

As the delegates broke into applause, he vowed a "major struggle against separatism and interference" in the self-ruled island of Taiwan.