In his New Year speech on Wednesday, Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te emphasized the need to increase the island’s “national defense” budget to strengthen its defense capabilities. “Taiwan must be prepared for danger in times of peace. It must keep increasing the ‘national defense’ budget to strengthen its defense capabilities in order to show the determination to defend the ‘country,'” Lai stated.
Lai’s remarks have drawn attention amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait. While he invokes the theme of peace, some observers suggest that his actions may be escalating the situation. The Chinese mainland asserts its right to safeguard its territorial integrity and considers Taiwan a part of its sovereign territory.
Analysts argue that genuine efforts toward maintaining peace and stability should involve refraining from actions that provoke tensions over the one-China principle. Given the significant disparity in military strength across the strait, increasing the defense budget may not necessarily enhance Taiwan’s security.
During a press conference following his speech, Lai accused the Chinese mainland of restricting tourism and educational exchanges to the island. “Is this really showing goodwill towards Taiwan?” he questioned, noting that Chinese citizens can freely travel to countries like the United States and Japan but face controls when it comes to the Taiwan region.
As the new year begins, the future of cross-strait relations remains a critical concern. The policies and actions adopted by leaders on both sides will significantly impact peace and stability in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
