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Lai Reaffirms Taiwan Defense Push With Lunar New Year Address at Mountain Radar Post

Opposition resistance leaves a proposed NT$1.25 trillion build-up unresolved.

Overview

  • From the 3,020-meter Hsiaohsueshan radar station, President Lai pledged stronger defense and public security in his Lunar New Year remarks.
  • A government holiday video featured footage of Taiwan’s first domestically built submarine undergoing undersea trials.
  • The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan has refused to review Lai’s roughly US$40 billion, eight-year plan and is pushing smaller alternatives.
  • Lai thanked troops, coast guard, police and public workers for holiday duty, and praised rescue and repair teams after last year’s disasters.
  • Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council dismissed Beijing’s renewed “reunification” call as rhetoric threatening the island’s existence.