Skip to content
Saturday, 10 October 2026

The Ledger Asia

Trusted Insights. Asian Perspective.

Subscribe
Markets

Taiwan’s Lai Says Peace Must Rest on Strength as Cross-Strait Tensions Persist

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te says the island remains committed to peace but will not give up its freedom, defending stronger military spending as a deterrent.

By Rebecca Hsu4 min read

Taipei, 10 October 2026 – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has used his National Day address to reaffirm the island’s commitment to peace while rejecting any outcome that would require Taiwan to surrender its freedom or accept political subordination to Beijing.

Lai said Taiwan remains open to exchanges and dialogue, but insisted that engagement must take place on the basis of parity and dignity. He also defended higher defence spending and military modernisation as measures intended to deter conflict rather than provoke it.

Unlock the Full Article

This article is exclusive to The Ledger Asia Subsribers / PAID members.

Subscribe to Read More

Already have an account? Log in here

This content has been restricted to logged-in users only. Please log in to view this content.

Author

  • Rebecca Hsu is a Senior Economist and Lead Analyst for The Ledger Asia, focusing on the rapidly evolving financial landscapes of East and Southeast Asia. With a background in sovereign risk assessment and emerging market trends, Rebecca provides sharp commentary on trade dynamics, monetary policy, and the digital economy's impact on regional growth.

    Formerly a strategic advisor for major financial institutions in Hong Kong, she excels at translating complex macroeconomic shifts into actionable insights for investors and policymakers. Her work at The Ledger Asia centers on China’s economic transition and the burgeoning manufacturing hubs of ASEAN, ensuring readers stay ahead of Asia’s shifting financial tides.