World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Taiwan's Lai calls for stronger defenses amid tensions with China
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called for stronger defenses in a National Day speech in Taipei on Oct.
10.
He said the goal of increased defense investment was to deter war, not provoke it, and to support dialogue on equal terms.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has said it will bring the island under its control, by force if necessary.
Lai's government rejects Beijing's position, and tensions have risen since he took office in May 2024.
Lai said China was using military and other pressure to change the situation across the Taiwan Strait.
He said Taiwan wanted peace but would not give up its freedom, and urged democracies in the Indo-Pacific to work together to protect regional stability.
Lai also welcomed recent efforts by U.S. and Chinese leaders to manage their competition through dialogue and reduce the risk of conflict.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called for stronger defense capabilities during a National Day address in Taipei on Oct. 10, 2026.
Lai said increased defense investment was intended to deter war and allow dialogue with mainland China on equal terms.
He accused mainland China of using military and gray-zone pressure to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary; Lai's government rejects Beijing's one-China principle.
Lai welcomed efforts by U.S. and mainland Chinese leaders to manage competition through dialogue and urged Indo-Pacific democracies to work together for regional peace.
- Who
- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te
- What
- Lai urged stronger defense capabilities and accused mainland China of trying to change the cross-strait status quo.
- When
- Oct. 10, 2026
- Where
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Why
- Lai said defense investment would deter war and help ensure dialogue could take place on the basis of parity and dignity.
Taiwan's government
Mainland China
Taiwan's status
Taiwan's government
Lai's government rejects Beijing's one-China principle and says the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own future.
Mainland China
The Communist-led mainland claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control, by force if necessary.
Cross-strait pressure and defense
Taiwan's government
Lai said mainland China uses military and gray-zone pressure to change the status quo, and argued that strengthening Taiwan's defenses would deter war.
Mainland China
The articles state that Beijing denounces Lai as a separatist and claims Taiwan, but do not provide a mainland Chinese response to Lai's remarks.
Our aim by increasing investment in national defense is not to provoke; rather, it is to deter war. And we are strengthening our self-defense not to abandon dialogue, but to ensure that dialogue can take place on the basis of parity and dignity,
Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up our freedom. We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination,
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Address date
- Oct. 10, 2026
- Location
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Occasion
- Taiwan's National Day
- Lai took office
- May 2024
- National Day commemoration
- The 1911 uprising, which led to the overthrow of China's last imperial dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912
Sources
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