Taiwan's Lai urges stronger defence and preservation of Taiwan Strait status quo

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused China of seeking to change the Taiwan Strait status quo in a speech at the October 10 Double Ten Day ceremony in front of the presidential office in Taipei, Jiji Press reported. He said he would preserve the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific. Tokyo Shimbun also reported his criticism of China and his appeal for stronger defence. [ 1 , 2 ]

Lai outlined his administration's efforts to strengthen defence capabilities and said that expanding investment in defence was intended to deter war rather than provoke it, according to Jiji. Tokyo Shimbun reported that he welcomed dialogue between the United States and China, while urging respect for Taiwanese people's right to survive. The newspaper interpreted the remarks as an attempt to discourage the use of Taiwan as a bargaining chip in dealings between Washington and Beijing. [ 1 , 2 ]

The speech was Lai's third Double Ten Day address since taking office in May 2024, Jiji reported. In his October 2024 speech, he made clear that he would not accept the one-China principle that regards mainland China and Taiwan as inseparable. Jiji said Xi Jinping's administration, which views Lai as pro-independence, subsequently conducted military exercises surrounding Taiwan. [ 1 ]

Tokyo Shimbun described Taiwan's economy as growing rapidly, centred on a semiconductor industry benefiting from the artificial intelligence boom. It reported that Lai said at a related event on the evening of October 9 that he would ensure everyone could share the benefits. The newspaper said he also intended to advance policies to improve people's lives. Lai belongs to the Democratic Progressive Party, it reported. [ 2 ]