Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Lai Calls for Strength to Preserve Taiwan Strait Peace
Taiwan’s president visited Kinmen, an island very close to China.
He was honoring a battle fought there in 1958.
Chinese forces attacked Kinmen and Matsu during that conflict.
Taiwan defended the islands with support from the United States.
The fighting ended without either side winning completely.
President Lai said strong defenses are needed to help keep peace.
He also said Taiwan should not give up any territory.
China still claims Taiwan as its own territory, while Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty.
Taiwan plans to spend more than T$1 trillion on defense next year.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te marked the 68th anniversary of the 1958 battle on Kinmen.
Lai said peace can be secured only through strength and vowed not to sacrifice territory.
He urged unity in defending Taiwan’s sovereignty and supported increased military spending.
China regards Taiwan as its territory and has denounced Lai as a separatist.
Taiwan plans to raise annual defense spending above T$1 trillion next year.
- Who
- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s veterans, and historically Chinese and Taiwanese forces.
- What
- Lai commemorated the 1958 Taiwan Strait battle and called for stronger defenses and protection of Taiwan-controlled territory.
- When
- On August 23, marking the 68th anniversary of the 1958 clash.
- Where
- Kinmen, a Taiwan-controlled island less than 2 kilometers from Chinese-controlled territory.
- Why
- Lai said the anniversary showed that peace is secured through strength and urged continued defense of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Taiwan’s Position
China’s Position
Taiwan’s status
Taiwan’s Position
Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
China’s Position
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has denounced Lai as a separatist.
Security and defense
Taiwan’s Position
Lai says peace requires strength, Taiwan must not yield territory, and military spending should increase.
China’s Position
China did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lai’s remarks.
Kinmen patrols
Taiwan’s Position
Taipei objects to Chinese coast guard patrols around Kinmen in waters Taiwan controls.
China’s Position
China describes the patrols as law-enforcement activities.
- Anniversary
- The event marked 68 years since the 1958 clash between Chinese and Taiwanese forces.
- Location
- Kinmen is less than 2 kilometers from Chinese-controlled territory at its closest point.
- Historical conflict
- Chinese forces bombarded Kinmen and Matsu for more than a month in 1958, involving naval and air battles.
- Outcome
- The crisis ended in a stalemate, with Taiwan supported by the United States.
- Defense budget
- Taiwan’s planned defense spending will exceed T$1 trillion, or about US$30 billion, next year.
- Current tensions
- China’s coast guard has conducted regular law-enforcement patrols around Kinmen since early 2024.