Taipei: In his first foreign television interview since assuming office a year ago, President Lai Ching-te emphasized the global threat posed by China. The interview was recorded in Taipei on Sunday and aired on Monday night on the Japanese program "news zero" by Nippon News Network. During the session, host Sakurai Sho inquired about the potential for conflict with China.
According to Focus Taiwan, President Lai expressed that the international community is increasingly aware of China's attempts to alter the rules-based international order, with the annexation of Taiwan as its initial objective. He warned that an invasion of Taiwan would disrupt the global supply chain, underscoring the importance of preventing a cross-Taiwan Strait conflict.
When questioned about the likelihood of U.S. assistance in defending Taiwan during a conflict, President Lai refrained from providing a definitive response. He noted that both President Biden and former President Trump have offered varied responses to the media on this issue, yet Taiwan-U.S. relations have consistently strengthened under both administrations.
President Lai referenced World War II to highlight the significance of bolstering Taiwan's defenses and employing deterrence to sustain peace. "We have to prepare for war in order to avoid war," he stated. To deter potential aggression, Taiwan is advancing the development of uncrewed weapons aimed at addressing its national security needs and fostering industrial growth. President Lai emphasized that these weapons are intended solely for defense, not for invading China.
Highlighting the resilient ties between Taiwan and Japan, particularly in disaster response, President Lai expressed optimism about the collaboration between the U.S., Japan, and other democratic nations to prevent China from initiating a conflict. "Prevention is more important than cure," he remarked.
The interview was part of Nippon News Network's series commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, titled "Keeping the Present from Becoming the Pre-war Era."