Taiwan

Taiwanese President Vows to Increase Island’s Defense Spending, in New Year’s Address

‘Taiwan needs to prepare for danger in times of peace,’ said Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
Taiwanese President Vows to Increase Island’s Defense Spending, in New Year’s Address
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers his 2025 New Year's address in Taipei, Taiwan, on Jan. 1, 2025. Taiwan’s Presidential Office Building
Frank Fang
Frank Fang
Reporter
|Updated:
0:00

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has pledged to increase the island’s defense spending and join forces with other democracies to confront threats posed by authoritarian governments.

In his first New Year’s address since taking office in May, Lai said Taiwan is an integral part of the “line of defense of democracy” globally.

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.
twitter