Peace through strength, Taiwan president says on China battle anniversary

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te emphasized on Sunday that peace can only be achieved through strength and that no territory should be sacrificed, during a visit to Kinmen and Matsu islands. These islands, situated just off China's coast, have been under Taiwan's control since 1949 when the Republic of China government fled to Taipei following a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists. No peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed between the two sides.

During a ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of the 1958 clash with Chinese forces, known as the second Taiwan Strait crisis, President Lai laid a wreath and bowed at a memorial park. Addressing veterans, he expressed gratitude to those who united and fought a bloody battle to repel Communist totalitarian aggression. Lai reiterated his resolve to unite in defending Taiwan's national sovereignty and peace in the Taiwan Strait, stating that peace is not given but secured through strength.

He also highlighted the need to maintain the spirit of never ceding any inch of Taiwan, Kinmen, and other islands, while continuously increasing military spending.

Kinmen is less than 2 kilometers from Chinese-controlled territory. In the 1958 battle, Chinese forces launched a month-long bombardment of Kinmen and Matsu, engaging in naval and air battles in an attempt to force their surrender. Taiwan fought back with support from the United States, but the crisis ended in a stalemate. To commemorate the event, Taiwan observes August 23 every year as the date it successfully defended against the Chinese attack.

China's coast guard has conducted regular law enforcement patrols around Kinmen in Taiwan-controlled waters since early 2024, causing anger in Taipei. President Lai stated that for 68 years, China has not stopped its ambitions for external expansion, even for a single day, causing unease across the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan announced on Thursday that its planned defense spending for the following year will exceed T$1 trillion ($30 billion) for the first time, and President Lai expressed hope for strong support for the budget.