There is no room for compromise when it comes to Taiwan's security, while freedom and democracy are foundational values that have nothing to do with ideological disputes, President William Lai (賴清德) told army reservists today.
Lai last week announced a US$40 billion supplementary defense budget to underscore Taiwan's determination to defend itself against a rising military threat from China.
Speaking to reservists in Yilan County, Lai said that in the face of China's coercion and harassment the government had to spend more on its defenses and better prepare should the worst come to pass.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
"National security allows absolutely no room for compromise. National sovereignty and the core values of freedom and democracy are the very foundation of our nation," he said.
"They are not about ideological disputes; they are the common position of all the people of Taiwan," he added.
Taiwan must rely on strength in order to obtain true peace, Lai said.
"Peace cannot be achieved merely through a piece of paper called a peace agreement, nor can it — nor will it ever — be achieved by yielding to the demands of an aggressor," he said.
"Even when engaging in reconciliation, we must have strong power as our backing in order to protect the overall interests of the nation. Without sufficient strength as support, so-called reconciliation will ultimately degenerate into surrender," he said.
Taiwan's government announced a reform of the training of its reserve forces in 2021, including doubling down on combat and shooting exercises.
The following year it extended compulsory military service to one year from four months.
Lai today watched reservists flying drones, firing guns, throwing grenades and applying tourniquets to comrades during training.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said this week that the government also appreciated US support in training its military. US military programs for Taiwan are rarely discussed in public.
"We are very thankful for some US initiatives to help train our people," Hsiao said on the US podcast Bannon's WarRoom.
Steve Bannon was an advisor to US President Donald Trump during his first presidency.
"I think the Taiwanese will feel greater confidence if we know that we are being trained by the best in the world," she added.
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