TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) underscored Taiwan's commitment to peace amid cross-strait tensions during an interview on "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show," which aired on Tuesday (Oct. 7). Lai stated that if President Trump can persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping to abandon military aggression toward Taiwan, Trump will undoubtedly win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Lai emphasized the distinct sovereignty between the two countries, asserting that Taiwan is not a part of China. He criticized China's military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, which he believes destabilize regional peace. He stated that the Taiwanese people's pursuit of sovereignty, democracy, and human rights should not be seen as provocation against China.
Lai said that pursuing peace remains a priority for Taiwan as he outlined his action plan, "Four-Pillar Plan for peace" (和平四大支柱行動方案). This included increasing Taiwan's defense budget to 5% GDP by 2030. Lai highlighted Taiwan's military procurement strategy from the U.S. and international partners while focusing on domestic defense industry development, including drones and underwater submarines.
Lai also pointed to Taiwan's economic resilience as a crucial factor in its security strategy. He noted a significant shift in foreign investment, with Taiwan's investment in China dropping from 83.8% in 2010 to 7% last year.