Taiwan President Urges Peace Without Sacrificing Sovereignty

President Lai Ching-te on Saturday urged graduates of military academies to pursue peace without compromising national sovereignty or democratic freedoms. Addressing the joint graduation ceremony for eight military academies, Lai stressed the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between friend and foe in the face of escalating threats from China.

"Facing various threats, challenges, and China's infiltration, division, sabotage, and espionage activities, please graduates must establish a clear awareness of the enemy, oppose communism and annexation, firmly believe in the values of democracy and freedom, insist on the mutual non-subordination of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and resist all threats and temptations to defend national sovereignty and security," Lai stated.

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Facing various threats, challenges, and China's infiltration, division, sabotage, and espionage activities, please graduates must establish a clear awareness of the enemy, oppose communism and annexation, firmly believe in the values of democracy and freedom, insist on the mutual non-subordination of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and resist all threats and temptations to defend national sovereignty and security.

He highlighted Taiwan's commitment to enhancing its self-defense capabilities and collaborating with democratic allies to deter potential aggression. Lai pledged that the government would significantly increase defense investments, acquire advanced weaponry through international procurement and cooperation, and foster domestic defense industries to build a "Taiwanese shield." The president also promised to improve military personnel's benefits and welfare, noting past salary increases and efforts to upgrade equipment and housing.

Lai encouraged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning, cultivate innovative thinking, and develop cross-disciplinary skills, particularly in the era of AI and digital transformation. He urged them to become leaders capable of guiding the military into a new era, emphasizing that their responsibility extends beyond military missions to safeguarding peace and democracy. "Pursuing peace absolutely cannot come at the cost of sacrificing national sovereignty or restricting the people's democratic freedoms," he concluded.

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Pursuing peace absolutely cannot come at the cost of sacrificing national sovereignty or restricting the people's democratic freedoms.