Archive · 2 Dec 2025
Taiwan President Reiterates No Compromise on Security
President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan spoke to army reservists and said that Taiwan's security is very important and cannot be compromised.
He believes that freedom and democracy are key values for Taiwan and that these values are shared by all Taiwanese people.
President Lai also said that Taiwan needs to be strong to have true peace and that peace cannot be achieved by just signing a paper or giving in to an aggressor.
The government has increased the defense budget by $40 billion to prepare for any threats from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory.
Taiwan's government also extended the compulsory military service to one year and improved the training of reservists.
China has not ruled out using force to control Taiwan, but Taiwan's government says only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
President Lai Ching-te emphasized that Taiwan's security is non-negotiable and that freedom and democracy are core values.
A $40 billion supplementary defense budget was announced to strengthen Taiwan's defenses against China's military threat.
Taiwan's government extended compulsory military service to one year and improved reservist training.
China has not renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, while Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.
President Lai stated that true peace requires strength and that reconciliation without strength can lead to surrender.
- Who
- President Lai Ching-te and Taiwan's government
- What
- Reiterated no compromise on Taiwan's security and announced a $40 billion supplementary defense budget
- When
- December 2, 2023
- Where
- Yilan, Taiwan
- Why
- To defend against China's military threat and uphold Taiwan's sovereignty and core values of freedom and democracy
- President
- Lai Ching-te
- Location
- Yilan, Taiwan
- Military Service Duration
- 1 year
- China's Stance
- Has not renounced use of force
- Taiwan's Stance
- Rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims
- Core Values
- Freedom and democracy
- Reservists' Training
- Includes drone flying, shooting, grenade throwing, and first aid