Here are the key takeaways from recent remarks made by Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te during a series of interviews with The New York Times,as the island nation navigates increasing pressure from China and seeks to solidify relationships with the United States.President Lai addressed concerns about cross-strait relations, potential U.S. intervention,Taiwan’s defense spending,and its critical role in the global technology supply chain,offering insights into the administration’s priorities and strategic outlook.
總統賴清德以特邀貴賓身份，接受《紐約時報》DealBook Summit 專訪。（圖由總統府提供）
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te reiterated his call for preparedness against potential military action from China, stating his administration must plan for the worst-case scenario while hoping for the best. The comments came during an interview with the New York Times’ DealBook Summit on December 4th.
Lai stated that Taiwan must be ready regardless of when, or if, the People’s Liberation Army takes action. “This is a basic principle,” he said. He also directly addressed Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging him to prioritize the well-being of the Chinese people over territorial expansion, and offered Taiwan’s assistance in addressing China’s economic challenges.
When asked about Beijing’s timeline for potential action, Lai emphasized the need for Taiwan to be fully prepared. He also used the opportunity to reaffirm Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense and regional peace and stability on the international stage.
Lai expressed gratitude for the support of the international community, including the G7 nations, the U.S. President, and Japanese political leaders, all of whom have underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for global security and prosperity. He noted that this unified stance from international leaders has been invaluable to Taiwan’s stability and regional development, and expressed hope for continued collaboration in upholding a rules-based international order.
Addressing China’s current economic situation, Lai acknowledged its difficulties. He contrasted this with Taiwan’s projected economic growth rate of 7.37% for the current year, compared to an estimated 4% for China, according to international financial institutions. “We sincerely hope that President Xi Jinping, amidst internal economic competition in China, will focus on improving the lives of the Chinese people rather than expanding territory,” Lai said. “Taiwan is willing to help and cooperate with China to resolve its various economic problems.”
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