Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged to strengthen the island’s defences in the face of escalating Chinese threats, saying in a New Year’s address on Wednesday (January 1, 2025) that Taiwan was a crucial part of the “line of defence of democracy” globally.

China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, is part of its territory and has vowed to annex the island by force if necessary.

“Authoritarian countries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are still collaborating to threaten the international order that is based on rules. This has severely influenced the Indo-Pacific region and the world’s peace and stability,” Mr. Lai said in his address.

Beijing has used a variety of tactics in recent years to increase pressure on Taiwan, from sending warships and fighter jets toward the island on a near-daily basis to pressuring Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to switch their recognition to China.

In response, Taiwan has been reforming its military and buying weapons from the United States, its biggest unofficial ally.

“Taiwan must be prepared for danger in times of peace. It must keep increasing the national defence budget to strengthen its defence capabilities and show determination to defend the country. Every single person has the duty to protect Taiwan’s democracy and security,” Mr. Lai said.

Mr. Lai also issued a warning about the need to uphold democracy domestically, addressing recent political controversies in Taiwan.

The Kuomingtang-led opposition passed three bills last month after legislators got into a physical tussle over them. The bills are designed to make recall votes for politicians more difficult and change the budget allocation for the central government. Critics said another of the bills would paralyse the Constitutional Court.

Mr. Lai’s party has said the bills, which still need to be accepted by the executive branch, are a threat to democracy.

“Domestic competition among political parties is a part of democracy. But domestic political disputes must be resolved democratically, within the constitutional system. This is the only way democracy can continue to grow,” Mr. Lai said.

Beijing considers democratically governed Taiwan its own territory, a claim the government in Taipei rejects. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

China criticised new U.S. military aid to Taiwan on Sunday (December 22, 2024), saying the $571 million package seriously violates the “one China principle” and provisions of joint communiques between China and the U.S.

 Explained | Why is Taiwan caught between U.S. and China?

China will take “all necessary measures” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, calling Taiwan “a red line that must not be crossed” in China-U.S. relations, according to a statement released by the Ministry.

Beijing considers democratically governed Taiwan its own territory, a claim the government in Taipei rejects.

This handout photo taken and released on December 16, 2024 by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence shows a U.S.-made M1A2 Abrams battle tank rolling down from a trailer at an army armour training centre in Hsinchu County, Hsinchu.
| Photo Credit: AFP

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday (December 20, 2024) agreed to provide $571.3 million in defence support for Taiwan, the White House said, while the State Department approved the potential sale to the island of $265 million worth of military equipment.

The United States is bound by law to provide Chinese-claimed Taiwan with the means to defend itself despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei, to the constant anger of Beijing.

Democratically governed Taiwan rejects China’s claims of sovereignty.

China has stepped up military pressure against Taiwan, including daily military activities near the island and two rounds of war games this year.

Taiwan went on alert last week in response to what it said was China’s largest massing of naval forces in three decades around Taiwan and in the East and South China Seas.

Mr. Biden had delegated to the Secretary of State the authority “to direct the drawdown of up to $571.3 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defence, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan,” the White House said in a statement without providing details.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry thanked the United States for its “firm security guarantee”, saying in a statement the two sides would continue to work closely on security issues to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait.

The Pentagon said the State Department had approved the potential sale to Taiwan of about $265 million worth of command, control, communications, and computer modernisation equipment.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said the equipment sale would help upgrade its command-and-control systems.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry also said on Saturday (December 21, 2024) that the U.S. government had approved $30 million of parts for 76 mm autocannon, which it said would boost the island’s capacity to counter China’s “grey-zone” warfare.