President Lai Ching-te thanked European countries for their long-standing support and expressed hope that they continue to stand with Taiwan.
He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Agence France-Presse Global News Director Philip Chetwynd and Taipei Bureau Chief Allison Jackson, in which he discussed cross-strait relations, Taiwan’s ties with Europe and the U.S., national defense and the semiconductor industry. The interview was published Feb. 12 on the news agency’s website, according to the Presidential Office.
Lai said the international community should recognize three key facts. First, neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other, and China has no right to annex Taiwan.
Second, Taiwan transitioned from authoritarianism to democracy following 38 years of martial law, and the Taiwanese people’s commitment to national sovereignty and democratic values should not be misconstrued as provocation. Third, if Taiwan were annexed, China would likely continue expanding its influence, jeopardizing the rules-based international order.
The president expressed gratitude to European partners for backing Taiwan, citing the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy released in 2021 and the October 2024 European Parliament resolution opposing China’s distortion of U.N. Resolution 2758.
Lai said he hopes to expand collaboration with Europe in artificial intelligence, defense industries and advanced technologies. Noting that Europe is Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner and top source of foreign investment, he said Taiwan looks forward to signing a reciprocal investment protection agreement and arrangements to avoid double taxation.
Regarding the US$40 billion eight-year defense budget proposed by the Executive Yuan, the president said Taiwan’s strong economic performance makes the funding feasible, with the aim of raising defense spending to more than 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2030.
Addressing speculation about a potential Chinese invasion in 2027, Lai said such concerns underscore the continuing threat posed by China. As commander in chief of Taiwan’s armed forces, he said he is committed to preparing for worst-case scenarios to deter aggression and safeguard national security.
Commenting on recent talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Lai said Taiwan-U.S. relations remain strong under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, adding that Washington’s commitment to collective defense and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific remains unchanged.
On semiconductors, Lai said that as long as Taiwan retains its research and development centers, advanced manufacturing processes and leading production capacity, it will continue to play a strategic role in the global supply chain, the Presidential Office said. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Agence France-Presse Global News Director Philip Chetwynd and Taipei Bureau Chief Allison Jackson, in which he discussed cross-strait relations, Taiwan’s ties with Europe and the U.S., national defense and the semiconductor industry. The interview was published Feb. 12 on the news agency’s website, according to the Presidential Office.
Lai said the international community should recognize three key facts. First, neither Taiwan nor China is subordinate to the other, and China has no right to annex Taiwan.
Second, Taiwan transitioned from authoritarianism to democracy following 38 years of martial law, and the Taiwanese people’s commitment to national sovereignty and democratic values should not be misconstrued as provocation. Third, if Taiwan were annexed, China would likely continue expanding its influence, jeopardizing the rules-based international order.
The president expressed gratitude to European partners for backing Taiwan, citing the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy released in 2021 and the October 2024 European Parliament resolution opposing China’s distortion of U.N. Resolution 2758.
Lai said he hopes to expand collaboration with Europe in artificial intelligence, defense industries and advanced technologies. Noting that Europe is Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner and top source of foreign investment, he said Taiwan looks forward to signing a reciprocal investment protection agreement and arrangements to avoid double taxation.
Regarding the US$40 billion eight-year defense budget proposed by the Executive Yuan, the president said Taiwan’s strong economic performance makes the funding feasible, with the aim of raising defense spending to more than 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2030.
Addressing speculation about a potential Chinese invasion in 2027, Lai said such concerns underscore the continuing threat posed by China. As commander in chief of Taiwan’s armed forces, he said he is committed to preparing for worst-case scenarios to deter aggression and safeguard national security.
Commenting on recent talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Lai said Taiwan-U.S. relations remain strong under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, adding that Washington’s commitment to collective defense and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific remains unchanged.
On semiconductors, Lai said that as long as Taiwan retains its research and development centers, advanced manufacturing processes and leading production capacity, it will continue to play a strategic role in the global supply chain, the Presidential Office said. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News