Taiwan's Lai urges defense boost, accuses China of changing status quo
TAIPEI (Kyodo) -- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called during an address Saturday for the strengthening of the island's defense capabilities, accusing
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has called for a boost in the island's defense capabilities, accusing mainland China of seeking to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. In a speech marking the self-ruled island's National Day, Lai emphasized that the aim of increasing investment in national defense is not to provoke but to deter war, ensuring dialogue can take place on the basis of parity and dignity.
The remarks come amid escalating cross-strait tensions since Lai took office in May 2024, with Beijing denouncing him as a separatist and claiming Taiwan as part of its territory. Lai also welcomed the recent summit between leaders of the United States and mainland China, urging democracies in the Indo-Pacific to work together to preserve regional peace and stability while upholding the right of the people of Taiwan to determine their own future.
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