Taiwan to Bolster Defense and Resilience Against China, President Lai Vows

President William Lai has vowed to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities and economic resilience in the face of escalating threats from China. Speaking at a youth forum, Lai articulated a strategy focused on deterring conflict through strength, directly addressing Beijing's persistent political pressure, military intimidation, and efforts at internal infiltration.

Lai outlined Taiwan's multi-pronged approach to enhancing its security. This includes increasing defense spending through special and annual budgets, acquiring foreign arms, and cultivating a domestic defense industry. The president stressed that building overall capabilities is crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

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We cannot put all our eggs in one basket.

Beyond military strength, Lai emphasized the need for economic resilience, stating that Taiwan must diversify its economy and avoid over-reliance on any single partner, particularly China. He called for Taiwan to stand with other democracies, sharing deterrence responsibilities and working collaboratively to prevent conflict. While open to dialogue with China on equal and respectful terms, Lai also warned of Beijing's "united front" tactics aimed at undermining Taiwan's sovereignty and national identity.

Separately, Defense Minister Wellington Koo echoed these sentiments, affirming Taiwan's commitment to regional peace and its role in sharing deterrence responsibilities with partners like the United States. His remarks align with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's call for allies to increase defense spending and readiness, underscoring a shared commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific.

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Taiwan should stand shoulder to shoulder with other democracies and work together to bolster deterrence, using strength to help prevent conflict.