The President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-tewarned this Thursday of the increasing pressure that the Chinese regime is exerting on the island and called for strengthening democratic defense and resilience in his New Year’s messagewhere he called for internal unity in the face of an increasingly tense regional environment.
In his speech, broadcast by Office of the PresidentThe President described an international context characterized by turbulence, changes in the global economic and trade order and an increase in conflicts.
At the same time, he particularly highlighted the promotion of the “expansionist ambitions” of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Ching-te recalled recent large-scale military exercises conducted by Beijing around Taiwan, an area China claims as its own.
The Taiwanese president emphasized that the international community is monitoring Taiwanese society’s determination for self-defense and reiterated its commitment to “Resolutely defend national sovereignty“and strengthen the island’s deterrence capacity. He considered solid national defense essential and called on all parties to cooperate in approving the defense budget.
Ching mentioned you the implementation of 17 security strategies against infiltration, the reform of laws related to national security and the introduction of a special eight-year defense budget worth about 39,829 million dollars, the gradual implementation of which will begin from this year.
On an economic level The Taiwanese politician and doctor highlighted the highest growth in fifteen yearswith an estimated rate of 7.37%, new records on the stock market and an average unemployment rate of 3%, the lowest in 25 years.
He also mentioned the sustained increase in the minimum wage and salary improvements for soldiers, civil servants and teachers.
The President discussed other advances such as the launch of the Formosat-8 satellite, the opening of new infrastructure at Taoyuan International Airport, the delivery of Coast Guard patrol vessels and the progress of the Tamsui Bridge. In the health sector, he highlighted the creation of a fund for new oncological treatments and the early achievement of the WHO target of eliminating hepatitis C.
Looking ahead to 2026, Ching-te listed strengthening security, transitioning to a smarter economy, promoting balanced development and strengthening democratic unity as priorities..
On the other hand, he criticized legislative deadlocks and defended the importance of respecting the Constitution and fundamental rights, while thanking the international support Taiwan has received, including support from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union and recent US arms sales.
In his end-of-year message, he concluded by appealing for unity and concerted efforts to ensure that his government will continue to work to protect Taiwan’s democratic system and way of life.
On the same line the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense condemned that “the Chinese Communist Party’s aggressive and militaristic provocations endanger regional security and stability and were condemned by democratic allies in the international community.”
For his part, the Chinese head of state in his New Year’s message Xi Jinping He reiterated the call for national reunification. “Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are linked by blood ties stronger than water, and the historical trend toward national reunification is unstoppable,” Xi said in remarks broadcast on state television. Video surveillance.
The ministry reported that 77 military aircraft and 25 Chinese navy and coast guard ships were spotted operating around the island in the past 24 hours. Of these in total 35 aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
(With information from EFE)
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