Taiwan vows to defend its sovereignty and strengthen its defenses as pressure from China intensifies, President Lai Ching te said Thursday, days after Beijing fired dozens of rockets toward the island during large scale military drills.
Speaking in a New Year address broadcast from the presidential office in Taipei, Lai said the exercises underscored the growing threat facing Taiwan and the need for sustained investment in national defense.
“The international community is watching whether the Taiwanese people have the determination to defend themselves,” Lai said, adding that his position as president was unchanged. “My stance has always been clear: to resolutely defend national sovereignty and strengthen national defense.”
Lai said China’s recent military exercises treated Taiwan’s newly deployed combat capabilities as a hypothetical enemy, reinforcing the urgency of boosting military readiness.
He urged opposition lawmakers to back a proposal to increase defense spending by forty billion dollars, a plan currently stalled in Taiwan’s opposition controlled parliament amid broader political deadlock.
The president was asked about a United States assessment that China aims to be capable of winning a conflict over Taiwan by 2027. Lai responded that timelines were uncertain but preparation could not be delayed.
“The coming year, 2026, will be a crucial one for Taiwan,” he said. “We must plan for the worst, but hope for the best.”
While emphasizing deterrence, Lai said Taipei remained open to dialogue with Beijing under strict conditions.
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“We are willing to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China on an equal and dignified basis,” he said. “That requires acknowledging the existence of the Republic of China and respecting the Taiwanese people’s choice of a democratic and free way of life.”
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects those claims and says only its people can decide their future.
Beijing swiftly condemned Lai’s remarks. A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office accused him of misleading the public and spreading hostility, comments carried by state broadcaster CCTV.
Lai’s speech followed Chinese military exercises known as Justice Mission 2025, which concluded late Wednesday. During the drills, China fired dozens of rockets toward waters near Taiwan and deployed large numbers of warships and aircraft, according to Chinese statements and regional security officials.
Taipei described the maneuvers as a serious provocation and a threat to regional stability. Western governments including Britain and the European Commission also expressed concern.
