Taiwan president says defence spending boost aims to ‘deter war’

President Lai emphasises peace and freedom, vows not to tolerate aggression in Taiwan Strait.Published On 10 Oct 202610 Oct 2026Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has said the island “cherishes peace” and will “not give up our freedom” in a National Day speech outside the Presidential Office in Taipei.Lai made the remarks on Saturday before thousands of people, including foreign guests and diplomats.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3FBI arrests ‘Chinese foreign agent’ for spying on Taiwan president’s sonlist 2 of 3China’s defence chief warns against coercion, avoids US, Japan mentionlist 3 of 3Taiwan flexes military capabilities ahead of Trump-Xi talksend of list“We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination,” he said. “Our aim by increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke; rather, it is to deter war.”Taiwanese fighter jets and two Chinook helicopters carrying giant Taiwan flags flew over the capital ahead of the speech.The holiday marks the 115th anniversary of a 1911 uprising that toppled China’s last imperial dynasty and led to the founding of the Republic of China.Pressure from ChinaTaiwan’s 23 million people live under the constant threa...