President says Taiwan must rely on military strength to avoid war with China

總統稱台灣必須依賴軍事實力避免與中國發生戰爭

Lai Ching-te backs peace through strength approach


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday (June 19) said that Taiwan must rely on military strength to prevent a war with China.

At a press conference marking his first month in office Lai said the recently established Whole-of Society Defense Resilience Committee would “expand the training and utilization of civilian forces, enhance material preparation and critical supply distribution systems, and strengthen energy and critical infrastructure security.”

When asked by a reporter why he rejected former President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) “first battle is the last battle” theory, Lai said he had told military cadets earlier in the week to not accept defeatism, per CNA. In 2020, Ma drew criticism claiming that if a war were to break out in the Taiwan Strait, China would defeat Taiwan before the U.S. could come to its aid.

Lai said, “Taiwanese people have always loved peace and have been kind to others, but peace must rely on strength. That is to say it is necessary prepare for war to prevent a war and achieve peace.” He added that, “Empty promises not true peace. Only peace achieved through strength is guaranteed, and is true peace.”

When asked about recent conflicts with China's coast guard ships and the latest U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Lai said, “Annexing Taiwan is China's national policy."

“However, Taiwan will not surrender and we will definitely defend the country's sovereignty and safeguard the democratic and constitutional way of life,” said Lai.

Lai also thanked leaders of the G7 industrial nations for “once again concluding that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for global prosperity and calling on China to abandon unilateral behavior of using coercion to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and to return to an international rules-based order.”