Lai

Taiwan’s president urged the opposition-controlled parliament Wednesday to stop blocking his $40 billion special defense budget, warning that failure to strengthen military capabilities amid rising Chinese threats could send a dangerous signal to the international community about the island’s resolve to defend itself.

President Lai Ching-te, speaking to reporters at the presidential office, said external threats continue escalating and force-building becomes ever more urgent, yet lawmakers persist in obstructing defense improvements. He emphasized that while political parties may compete and policies require full communication so the public can choose, national defense touches sovereignty, security, and survival and should unite rather …