Taiwan's Lai says higher defence spending aims to deter war, not provoke

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday, 10 October 2026, that increased defence spending is meant to deter war, not to provoke.

He spoke in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. Thousands of people attended, including foreign diplomats. Before the speech, Taiwanese fighter jets and two Chinook helicopters carrying giant Taiwan flags flew over the capital.

"Our aim by increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke; rather, it is to deter war," Lai said, according to Al Jazeera.

Lai said Taiwan cherishes peace but will not give up its freedom. The Hindu quoted him as saying "there must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist". He also said he welcomed talks between the United States and China.

Lai's government has earmarked a record NT$1.1 trillion ($34.5 billion) for defence in 2027. That is more than 3% of GDP. The reports do not say whether the legislature has approved it.

Taiwan is waiting for US President Donald Trump to sign off on $14 billion worth of weapons, including the Patriot air defence system. In May, after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Trump suggested US arms sales to Taiwan could be a bargaining chip with China. The reports do not describe a timeline for his decision.

The holiday marks the 115th anniversary of the 1911 uprising that toppled the Qing, China's last imperial dynasty, and led to the founding of the Republic of China.

Reported military activity

According to Al Jazeera, Taiwan's defence ministry said 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships operated around Taiwan in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Thirteen of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The reports do not include independent verification of these figures or a Chinese response.

Al Jazeera also reported that China held war games shortly after Lai's first National Day speech in 2024, but not in 2025.

What each side says

Lai said China continues to "apply pressure through military and grey-zone activities in an attempt to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait", according to Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera quoted him as saying: "We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination."

China insists Taiwan is part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force to take it. According to Al Jazeera, China calls Lai a "separatist". The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any reaction from Beijing to the speech.

According to Al Jazeera and The Hindu, officials in Washington and Taipei say US policy on Taiwan has not changed under Trump.

Parliamentary speaker Han Kuo-yu is a senior member of the main opposition party, which favours closer ties with China. The Hindu quoted him as saying "U.S. support is extremely important to Taiwan's security". He also noted Taiwan's historical and cultural links with China.

Analysis

The speech combined a message of deterrence with an offer of openness. Lai paired record defence spending with welcome for US-China talks. Several open questions may shape what follows. One is whether the legislature approves the 2027 budget. Another is how Trump decides on the pending $14 billion arms package, after he suggested arms sales could be a bargaining chip. A third is how Beijing responds. In 2024, China held war games soon after Lai's National Day speech. In 2025, it did not. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not show which path Beijing will take this time.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.