CaliToday (02/12/2025): In a stern address to military forces on Tuesday, President Lai Ching-te drew a definitive red line regarding the island's future, declaring that there is "absolutely no room for compromise" when it comes to national security.
Speaking to reservists during an inspection in northeastern Yilan County, President Lai framed the defense of the island not as a political choice, but as an existential necessity. He emphasized that the values of freedom and democracy are foundational to Taiwan's identity and transcend mere political debate.
A $40 Billion Signal of Resolve
The President’s visit comes just days after his administration unveiled a massive $40 billion supplementary defense budget. The move is widely seen as a concrete demonstration of Taiwan's determination to harden its defenses against an increasingly aggressive China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own territory.
"Faced with China's coercion and harassment, the government must invest more in defense and prepare meticulously for the worst-case scenarios," Lai told the assembled troops.
Beyond Ideology
Lai sought to unify the troops and the public by stripping away partisan politics from the issue of defense.
"National security allows absolutely no compromise. National sovereignty and the core values of freedom and democracy are the very foundation of our country," Lai stated. "These are not ideological disputes; this is the common stance of all Taiwanese people."
Modernizing the Reserve Force
The inspection in Yilan highlighted the tangible shifts in Taiwan's military strategy. Following a major reform of the reservist training program announced in 2021, the island has moved toward more rigorous, combat-oriented preparation.
During the visit, President Lai observed reservists executing a range of modern warfare drills, including:
Drone operations, reflecting the changing nature of asymmetric warfare.
Live-fire shooting and grenade throwing.
Battlefield trauma care, simulating the urgent treatment of wounded comrades under fire.
These drills are part of a broader effort to professionalize Taiwan's backup forces. This initiative also includes the recent extension of compulsory military service from four months to one year—a difficult political decision made to ensure the island has a capable fighting force ready to mobilize.
The Cross-Strait Standoff
The backdrop to these exercises is Beijing’s refusal to renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. President Lai and his administration have consistently rejected Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that the future of the island can only be decided by its 23 million inhabitants.
As Chinese military pressure mounts, Lai’s message from Yilan is clear: Taiwan prefers peace, but it is actively preparing to defend its way of life at any cost.
Source: Reuters
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