Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has vowed to firmly defend the island’s sovereignty and strengthen its defence capabilities amid escalating military pressure from China. The remarks were made in a New Year address delivered from the Presidential Office in Taipei, following a fresh round of Chinese military drills conducted near Taiwan.
Lai said Taiwan would resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty, reinforce its defence preparedness and enhance social resilience in the face of growing security challenges. He stressed that the recent Chinese military exercises underscored the urgent need to bolster Taiwan’s defence capabilities and called for broad support for increased defence spending.
The president reiterated that Taiwan remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and is open to dialogue with China, but only on the basis of equality, dignity and respect for Taiwan’s democratic system and the will of its people.
China, which considers Taiwan a part of its territory, dismissed Lai’s remarks and accused him of provocation. Beijing has intensified military drills around the island in recent years, deploying warships, fighter jets and live-fire exercises that have heightened regional tensions.
The developments have drawn international attention, with several countries expressing concern over stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s leadership has repeatedly said that maintaining strong defence capabilities is essential to deter aggression and preserve peace in the region.
