President Lai emphasizes determination to strengthen national defense

2025/08/26

President Lai Ching-te pledged to continue improving the ROC (Taiwan) armed forces during a speech Aug. 22 in the northeastern county of Yilan.
 
Lai said that the defense budget accounted for 3.32 percent of the country’s gross domestic product in the newly announced 2026 fiscal proposal approved by the Executive Yuan. He added that Taiwan would keep collaborating with allies and like-minded countries on R&D, as well as on the production and manufacture of weapons and the procurement of next-generation frigates and drone vehicles.
 
The president praised the 168th Fleet’s exceptional performance during the annual Han Kuang exercises in July, and reminded military personnel of the importance of information security in light of China’s intensifying aggression toward Taiwan.
 
The government will continue to carry out the project of renovating military camps and dormitories, begun under former President Tsai Ing-wen, Lai said, adding that the salaries of military personnel have been increased in response to a request from Defense Minister Wellington Koo.
 
The president concluded by encouraging the fleet to continue its vital work to safeguard democracy and freedom through discipline and military strength. 


Source:  Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)