An exclusive interview that Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te gave to the local news outlet Sanlih Television aired on the evening of December 28
In the interview, Lai addressed concerns over U.S. intelligence reports suggesting that China aims to be able to invade Taiwan by 2027.
Lai called on Taiwan to continue enhancing itsnational defense capabilities and ensure that China's goal would be "permanently unachievable," noting that a cross-strait invasion calls for much more extensive preparations than an assault across contiguous land.
He reaffirmed that Taiwan will not provoke or attack China, but also emphasized that the country should not be complacent.
However, if conflict arises, any messages suggesting presidential "capitulation" are certainly false, requiring the populace's resolve to fight steadfastly.
Turning to Taiwanese domestic politics, Lai strongly criticized the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party for blocking a defense special budget of NTD 1.25 trillion proposed by his administration and for initiating impeachment charges against him.
He called on the opposition to acknowledge China as a threat and expressed concern over rumors that the Kuomintang may be blocking the defense budget as a precondition for Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun to visit China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping next year. The Kuomintang denied that there were any preconditions to the meeting, but not that it might be attempting to arrange such a meeting. （Related： Trump Meets Zelensky, Acknowledges Challenges in Talks with Russia ｜ Latest ）
"Society will judge," Lai said.
