Taiwan’s regional leader seeks to raise defense spending for ‘danger in times of peace’

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) — Taiwan's regional leader William Lai Ching-te said on Wednesday that the island's government must continue to increase its defense budget to strengthen its capabilities and demonstrate a commitment to its security.

In his 2025 New Year's message, Lai said peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are critical to global security and prosperity.

He said that even in times of peace, Taiwan must prepare for danger, according to a transcript released by his office. "We must continue to increase our national defense budget, strengthen our national defense capabilities, and demonstrate our determination to protect our country."

Lai added that everyone has a responsibility to safeguard Taiwan's democracy and security.

"We must gather together every bit of strength we have to enhance whole-of-society defense resilience and build capabilities to respond to major disasters and deter threats or encroachment.

"We must also strengthen communication with society to combat information and cognitive warfare so that the populace rejects threats and enticements and jointly guards against malicious infiltration by external forces," Lai added.

His statement comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that no one can prevent China’s reunification with Taiwan.

"We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family. No one can ever sever the bond of kinship between us," Xi said in his 2025 New Year message.

China considers Taiwan a “breakaway province,” while Taipei has maintained its independence since 1949. The issue remains a key flashpoint as Donald Trump prepares to take office as the US president on Jan. 20.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid