Reported from the source

Quick summary: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has vowed to defend the island’s sovereignty and strengthen its defenses following recent Chinese live-fire military drills. China, which views Taiwan as its territory, expressed anger over a planned US arms sale and Japanese comments, with its leader Xi Jinping calling Taiwan’s annexation “unstoppable.” Taiwan has responded by announcing a significant budget for arms purchases and pledging to increase defense spending.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen national defense, and build an effective deterrence mechanism, days after China concluded two days of live-fire military drills around the self-ruled island. The drills, which featured rocket launches, aircraft, and warships, were met with Lai’s assertion that the international community is watching Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself against China’s “expansionist ambitions.” Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be annexed by force if necessary, reacted angrily to Lai’s comments. A spokesperson for China’s State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office labeled Lai “a saboteur of peace, a troublemaker and a warmonger,” reiterating that “Taiwan is part of China.” Chinese leader Xi Jinping also stated that Taiwan’s eventual annexation is “unstoppable.” China’s anger was further fueled by a planned US arms sale to Taiwan, valued at over $11 billion, and comments from Japan’s prime minister suggesting Tokyo could intervene in a Chinese attack. The United States, obligated by its laws to provide Taiwan with self-defense means, slammed the Chinese drills for “unnecessarily” raising regional tensions. In response to the threats, Taiwan announced a special $40 billion budget over eight years (2026-2033) for arms purchases, including an air defense system called the Taiwan Dome. President Lai has also pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, emphasizing that “Taiwan has no time to wait” in the face of China’s military ambitions. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949.

Source: www.euronews.com