Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty after China drill

AWANI

Taiwan's president reaffirmed the island's resolve to defend its sovereignty and raise defence spending after China fired rockets near Taiwan during major military drills.

Transcript

00:00President Lai Ching-te says Taiwan is determined to defend its sovereignty

00:04and strengthen its defenses amid growing military pressure from China.

00:09He warns that the international community is closely watching

00:12to see whether the people of Taiwan will show the resolve to defend themselves

00:16and protect their democratic system.

00:20The remarks came after China launched rockets towards Taiwan

00:24during large-scale military drills conducted near the island.

00:27Lai said the exercises exposed the urgent need to boost defense procurement

00:32and speed up military modernization.

00:35He also urged opposition parties to back a proposed US$40 billion increase in defense spending,

00:41which remains stalled in Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament.

00:45Describing 2026 as a critical year, Lai said the government must prepare for the worst

00:50while continuing to hope for stability.

00:52Meanwhile, in his New Year address, China's President Xi Jinping reiterated

00:56that Beijing's reunification with Taiwan cannot be stopped.

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