TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Washington headquarters praised President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) government for its efforts to bolster Taiwan's self-defense capabilities on Monday (Sept. 23).
Ingrid Larson, the AIT managing director, attended the U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in Philadelphia and introduced Taiwan's Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Yen-pu (徐衍璞), who delivered a keynote speech.
Larson lauded the Lai administration for increasing the defense budget, establishing a defense innovation team, and enhancing societal resilience.
She noted that next year's defense budget will grow by 6%, reaching approximately US$20 billion, with a focus on strengthening societal resilience through the establishment of the Presidential Office's Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.
Larson also welcomed Defense Minister Wellington Koo's (顧立雄) support for significant defense reforms, including the creation of a defense innovation team. She also highlighted President Lai’s appointment of Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) as foreign minister, reflecting a strong commitment to advancing U.S.-Taiwan economic relations.
Larson pointed out that Beijing's recent actions to pressure and coerce Taiwan have not fostered peaceful cross-strait resolutions or personnel exchanges.
She emphasized that the U.S. remains dedicated to helping Taiwan maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, but preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait involves more than traditional defense measures.
It also includes enhancing Taiwan's societal resilience, covering areas such as critical infrastructure protection, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, cyber defense, food security, economic interdependence, energy resilience, and financial connectivity.
Larson addressed the conference attendees, including numerous U.S. and Taiwanese defense industry manufacturers, stressing the importance of cross-industry participation in strengthening societal resilience.
She mentioned that following the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, the U.S. is welcoming advanced semiconductor manufacturers from Taiwan to build a chip ecosystem in America.
She added that the U.S. government is also working with Congress to reduce tax burdens on businesses, promoting bilateral investment growth between Taiwan and the U.S.