The Taiwanese President announced this Wednesday, November 26, a series of initiatives to reinforce the island’s defensive capabilities, with the ultimate objective of consolidating a force capable of “permanently defending” “democratic Taiwan” against the “Chinese threat”.
At a press conference at the presidential office in Taipei, William Lai Ching-te underlined the intention to equip the armed forces with a “high level of readiness” to “effectively deter” China by 2027, the year in which, according to US intelligence reports, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered the completion of preparations for “reunification by force”.
In this context, the Taiwan’s government plans to invest 1.25 billion New Taiwan Dollars (34.4 billion euros) between 2026 and 2033, to achieve a “highly resilient defensive capability and full deterrence”, affirming William Lai.
The funds will finance the development of the ‘Taiwan Shield’ (T-Dome), an “advanced layered air defense system, with high warning capacity and interception effectiveness”, announced by Lai on October 10 and similar to Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ and the ‘Golden Dome’ proposed by the United States.
The funds will also allow the incorporation of “high technology” and artificial intelligence in the armed forces, in order to “build a resilient defense system, based on efficient decision-making and precise attacks”, contributing, at the same time, to “strengthen defense autonomy and develop national industry”, noted Lai.
“Taiwan, as the most important and crucial link of the first island chain, cannot become a vulnerable point in regional security. We must demonstrate determination and take greater responsibility for self-defense,” he emphasized.
In the speech, Lai denounced efforts by Beijing authorities to transform “democratic Taiwan” into “Chinese Taiwan” through a series of measures ranging from intensified military pressure and influence operations to “transnational repression” of Taiwanese citizens.
Therefore, the leader emphasized, the Government will create a working office to draw up “action plans” and mobilize the entire society and “allied countries” to demonstrate Taiwan’s “determination” in safeguarding the ‘status quo’.
“National sovereignty and the fundamental values of freedom and democracy constitute the foundation of our nation. This is not a question of ideologies or a debate between ‘unification’ and ‘independence’, but a choice between defending ‘democratic Taiwan’ and rejecting the transformation into a ‘Chinese Taiwan'”, declared the island’s leader.
“Compatriots: In all of China’s scripts to annex Taiwan, the biggest threat is not force, but resignation (…). Democracy is not a provocation. Even the mere existence of Taiwan is not an excuse for an invader to disrupt the status quo,” he added.
Beijing authorities consider Taiwan an “inalienable part” of Chinese territory and have not ruled out using force to take control, a position rejected by the Taipei government, which says the island’s future should be decided by the island’s 23 million inhabitants.