Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated today (5th) that the government will continue to promote national defense reform and allocate more resources. The national defense budget for next year is expected to exceed 3% of GDP, aiming to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
The Ketagalan Forum: 2025 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue was held today by the Prospect Foundation, with President Lai Ching-te and 12 political leaders and scholars from 10 countries including the United States, Japan, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific region in attendance. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a keynote speech.
During his address, Lai Ching-te mentioned that the Ketagalan Forum has entered its 9th year, providing a vital platform for political leaders and experts from around the world to engage in dialogue on various aspects of Indo-Pacific regional security. He extended a sincere welcome and gratitude to all distinguished guests on behalf of the Taiwanese people.
This year’s forum focused on three main themes: Indo-Pacific regional security, the whole-of-society defense strategy of the democratic camp, and the strategic integration of economy, technology, and industry diplomacy. Lai Ching-te stressed that these themes are closely linked to Taiwan’s national development direction, believing that through this year’s forum, Taiwan will consolidate greater consensus with global democratic partners for a safer Indo-Pacific region and a more prosperous world.
Reflecting on the past year of turmoil in international affairs with ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and escalating tensions in the Middle East, as well as China’s military actions in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea, Lai Ching-te highlighted unprecedented challenges faced by the rules-based international order.
“In the face of authoritarian expansion, democratic countries must unite to defend the values of democracy and freedom. Taiwan, situated at a critical position in the first island chain, is a vital bastion of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Lai Ching-te remarked.
Therefore, since taking office, he has actively implemented the “Four Pillars of Peace” action plan, which includes strengthening national defense capabilities, enhancing economic security, demonstrating stable and principled leadership in cross-strait relations, and promoting value-based diplomacy. “We will maintain the status quo, ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, while deepening partnerships with other democratic countries to drive global prosperity.”
Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan is actively enhancing the resilience of its whole-of-society defense. This year, the government renamed the annual Han Kuang military exercises held in July, along with the newly merged “town and city resilience exercises,” as “National Unity Month.”
Aside from broadening public participation in drills, through civilian-military cooperation, Taiwan is verifying the response capabilities of various regions and units across the island in facing extreme scenarios. “Simultaneously, we will continue to promote national defense reform, allocate more resources, with the national defense budget next year expected to exceed 3% of GDP to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.”
“Taiwan will also continue to strengthen economic resilience, steadily promote economic security, not only by deepening economic and trade cooperation with various countries but also by upgrading the ‘Five Trustworthy Industries’ including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), defense industry, security, and next-generation communications,” Lai Ching-te added.
As the economy underpins national strength and serves as a pillar of democracy, he believes that democratic countries working together to create a more robust democratic supply chain can lead to more prosperous economies and deepened democracies.
“To my good friends in Taiwan, in this turbulent world, Taiwan stands on the front line against authoritarian threats, representing the forefront of the global democratic line of defense. We deeply value peace and understand that peace in the Taiwan Strait is not just a regional issue but a shared responsibility for global economic and security stability.”
As a responsible member of the international community, he mentioned, “Taiwan will stand together with global democratic countries to confront challenges, uphold the rules-based international order, defend peace with strength, and safeguard our hard-earned democratic and free way of life.”
He expressed gratitude once again to all participants in the forum for standing with Taiwan, looking forward to active discussions and exchange of ideas today, and wished everyone a wonderful time in Taiwan.