Lai Ching-te says Taiwan's higher defence spending is 'not to provoke' but 'to deter war' in his National Day address

10 October 2026

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivered the National Day address at the 115th Double Tenth National Day Celebration in front of the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on 10 October 2026.
The address was titled 'Taiwan's Future: A City upon a Hill, the Salt and Light of the World'.
He said: 'Our aim by increasing investment in national defense is not to provoke; rather, it is to deter war', and 'We are open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination.'
He said first-half growth was 14.15 percent and per capita GDP is projected to reach US$45,332 this year.
Al Jazeera reported a record NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion) set aside for defence for 2027, more than 3 percent of GDP.
King Mswati III of Eswatini was among the guests; China's Taiwan Affairs Office criticised the speech.