Taiwan will not accept China’s proposal to reunify under the “one country, two systems” model and is prepared to defend its freedom and democracy, President Lai Ching-te declared on October 31, firmly rejecting Beijing’s latest attempt to bring the island under its control.
Earlier this week, China stated that it “does not rule out the use of force” against Taiwan – a remark that stands in stark contrast to the more conciliatory tone in recent state media reports, which had emphasized promises of “peaceful governance” similar to arrangements in Hong Kong and Macau.
Speaking at a military base in Hukou, President Lai addressed troops amid this politically tense backdrop, stressing that “true and lasting peace can only be secured through strength and defense readiness.”
“We must uphold the status quo with dignity and determination, firmly oppose annexation, aggression, and forced unification,” Lai said. He announced that Taiwan plans to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030 in order to strengthen its security amid China’s growing military threat.
Defending this strategy, Lai underlined that “the Taiwanese people’s protection of sovereignty and democratic way of life should not be seen as a provocation. Investing in national defense means investing in peace.” Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not yet commented on the president’s remarks.
Lai’s visit to Hukou coincided with a ceremony marking the delivery of a new battalion of M1A2T Abrams tanks, manufactured by U.S. defense company General Dynamics Land Systems. So far, Taiwan has received 80 out of 108 ordered tanks – a sign that the island remains a focal point in the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, a confrontation that increasingly transcends regional boundaries and carries global implications.
Meanwhile, at the recent U.S.-China summit in Busan, the issue of Taiwan was conspicuously absent from public discussion. Neither Xi Jinping nor Donald Trump mentioned the topic, which may suggest a temporary, pragmatic understanding aimed at easing tensions. Yet, as Washington continues to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities and Beijing refuses to renounce the use of force, this diplomatic silence appears more like a strategic pause than a sign of genuine reconciliation.
