In a speech to a colourful crowd of thousands assembled near the Presidential Office Building, President Ma Ying-jeou said Taiwan gave "strong support" for the people of Hong Kong's struggle for the democratic election of their local government. He also suggested that Beijing should approach political reform today in the way it embraced early economic reforms three decades ago.

"Thirty years ago, when [China's paramount leader] Deng Xiaoping was pushing for reform and opening up in the mainland, he famously proposed letting some people get rich first," said Mr Ma. "So why couldn't they do the same thing in Hong Kong, and let some people go democratic first?"

Mr Ma's remarks, on Taiwan's 103rd National Day, come after talks between Occupy Central protesters and the local Hong Kong government were called off this week, raising expectations of a more protracted impasse in the city of 7.2 million.

"Today, we again urge those on the other side of the Taiwan Strait to take note that now is the most appropriate time for mainland China to move toward constitutional democracy," said the Taiwanese President, who has been criticised for his willingness to pursue deeper economic ties with Beijing.

Drawing on an ancient Chinese proverb, the Taiwanese leader and Kuomintang Party (KMT) chairman said China's 1.3 billion people "wish to enjoy greater democracy and rule of law." Pointedly, he said "such a desire has never been a monopoly of the West, but is the right of all humankind."

In an editorial timed to coincide with the holiday, mainland China's nationalistic Global Times dismissed Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China.

"We should make no bones about exposing their tricks when fanatics make use of nostalgia for the Republic of China as an ideological, and even a political tool, to challenge mainstream historical and political views in the Chinese mainland," the editorial said. "Chinese people abandoned the Republic of China 65 years ago."

China and Taiwan have been ruled by rival governments since 1949 when China's Civil War ended.

Taiwan's President, in his speech, lauded Taiwan's transition from an authoritarian state under the KMT to a modern democracy and said Taiwan could "serve as a guidepost for ethnic Chinese societies the world over."

Mr Ma also took a swipe at the pro-democracy activists on Taiwan who opposed further trade deals with mainland China and "resorted to some extremely zealous and illegal actions."

Late last month, an 18-year-old activist hurled a book at Mr Ma at a public event, hitting the leader in the stomach.

Although Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party and pro-democracy activists criticise the KMT's welcome of closer ties with China, Mr Ma defended his handling of the issue in the speech.

While countries around the world were pushing forward with trade alliances and economic integration, he said, "Taiwan has remained at a standstill on this front," leading some international pundits to conclude "we are perfectly willing to be left behind."

"This is a cause for serious concern," he said.

Chris Zappone travelled to Taiwan as a guest of the Taiwanese government.