Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed his commitment to peace, saying the island will not give up its freedom and insisting that its people must retain the right to determine their future.
Speaking during Taiwan’s National Day celebrations on Saturday, Lai said the island was open to exchanges but would not accept subordination. He also maintained that strengthening Taiwan’s defence capabilities was intended to deter conflict rather than provoke it.
Taiwan faces increasing military and political pressure from China, which claims the self-governed island as part of its territory despite strong opposition from authorities in Taipei.
With China expanding its military capabilities through advanced fighter jets, aircraft carriers and a large missile arsenal, Taiwan has increased defence spending and continued efforts to modernise its armed forces.
Addressing the gathering outside the Presidential Office in Taipei, Lai warned that peace could not depend on hope alone.
“Taiwan cherishes peace, but we will not give up our freedom. We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination,” he said.
Lai said Taiwan’s determination to defend itself extended beyond its own security, arguing that the international community must uphold the principle that powerful countries should not use force to deny people the right to determine their future.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the president’s speech. Beijing has consistently refused to rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, while describing Lai as a separatist and rejecting his offers of dialogue.
A senior United States administration official welcomed Lai’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, warning that a routine political speech should not be used to justify aggressive or coercive measures.
Washington remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter, although the two sides do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.
During the address, Lai did not repeat his customary statement that neither side of the Taiwan Strait is subordinate to the other. However, he invoked the biblical expression “a city upon a hill”, calling on Taiwan to demonstrate courage and confidence.
The president said increased investment in defence was intended to prevent war rather than trigger it. He added that strengthening Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities would not mean abandoning dialogue but would help ensure that negotiations took place on equal terms and with dignity.
“There must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist,” Lai said.
China conducted military exercises around Taiwan in 2024, shortly after Lai delivered his first National Day address as president, but did not hold similar exercises the following year.
China’s latest major military drills near the island took place in late December 2025, following reports of an $11 billion US arms deal for Taiwan, described as the largest American weapons package for the island. US President Donald Trump has yet to approve a separate proposed arms package worth $14 billion.
Lai also welcomed efforts by Washington and Beijing to manage their rivalry through dialogue and reduce the risk of military confrontation. A Taiwanese official told reporters that his remarks were a direct response to the previous month’s China-US summit in Washington.
However, Lai urged democratic countries across the Indo-Pacific to work together to preserve regional peace and stability.
Taiwan celebrates its National Day on October 10, marking the 1911 uprising that led to the overthrow of China’s last imperial dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.
Following its defeat in the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan after losing to Mao Zedong’s communist forces. The Republic of China remains the island’s formal name.
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