Taiwan

Taiwan President Vows to Defend Sovereignty After China’s War Games

President Lai Ching-te made the remarks in a New Year address, a day after Chinese leader Xi Jinping said ’reunification‘ with Taiwan was ’unstoppable.’
Taiwan President Vows to Defend Sovereignty After China’s War Games
In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers his New Year speech at the Presidential Office, in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP
Frank Fang
Frank Fang
Reporter
|Updated:
0:00

TAIPEI, Taiwan—President Lai Ching-te pledged to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses and protect sovereignty on Jan. 1, calling for unity at home after China conducted large-scale war games around the island earlier this week.

Lai made the remarks during a New Year’s address, amid a political rift that has prevented his special $40 billion budget for arms purchases, including a proposed air defense system called the Taiwan Dome, from being discussed in the legislature.
Frank Fang
Frank Fang
Reporter
Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based reporter. He covers U.S., China, and Taiwan news. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
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