Taipei, Oct. 12 -- Taiwan has urged China to stop its hostile rhetoric toward Taipei and abandon the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, after President William Lai reaffirmed Taiwan's commitment to peace and freedom in his Double Ten National Day address, according to a report by Taipei Times.

Lai described Taiwan as a "city upon a hill" in his speech and said that Taiwan cherishes peace but would not give up its freedom. He also said Taiwan remained open to exchanges with China but would not accept subordination, the Taipei Times report said.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office criticised Lai's remarks, accusing him of disregarding facts, distorting the truth and misleading the public. It said Taiwan ...