Lai urges US support against China military pressure in National Day speech

At this year's National Day celebration, President Lai Ching-te delivered an address themed "Safeguarding Peace and Stability Across the Taiwan Strait," reiterating Taiwan's determination to uphold the cross-strait status quo. In his speech, he pointed out that China continues to attempt to alter the cross-strait status quo through military exercises, aerial patrols, and gray-zone tactics. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will respond in a responsible manner to ensure that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region remain unchallenged.

President Lai's remarks serve not only as a commitment to the domestic public but also as a signal to the international community. Since Taiwan's founding, the National Day address has served as a vital platform for presidents to articulate policy stances. The focus of this year's speech was to respond to China's intensifying military pressure and to call upon the international community to jointly safeguard regional security. When facing "gray-zone" operations, Taiwan has already utilized diplomatic, intelligence, and defense mechanisms to ensure that the status quo is not unilaterally altered.

The U.S. Department of State told the Central News Agency on the 10th that it welcomes President Lai's commitment to "maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait" made during his National Day address. The U.S. side emphasized that Taiwan's security and stability are of critical significance to the entire Indo-Pacific region and the global security environment at large. This statement echoes the longstanding U.S. "One China" policy, highlighting the high level of attention and support the United States maintains in the Taiwan Strait region. The U.S. response also demonstrates that Taiwan continues to receive diplomatic and strategic support from major allies when confronting Chinese military pressure.

Viewed through a historical lens, cross-strait tensions have persisted for many years. Although both sides maintain interactions across various fields, Taiwan has consistently insisted, in the military and diplomatic realms, that the status quo must not be unilaterally altered. President Lai's reiteration of Taiwan's position this time aims to send a signal both domestically and internationally: Taiwan will not abandon its self-defense and international cooperation due to external pressure. The affirmative response from the United States further consolidates Taiwan's safety net within the international community.

Overall, President Lai's National Day address and the response from the U.S. Department of State highlight the multi-dimensional nature of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. When facing external military pressure, Taiwan maintains the fundamental framework of regional security through responsible defense and diplomatic strategies, while the United States reinforces Taiwan's legitimacy and security guarantees on the international stage through diplomatic solidarity. This interaction not only responds to the current situation but also provides an important reference for future cross-strait relations and regional security. (Source of facts: Central News Agency)