TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) inspected reserve force training Tuesday (Dec. 2) in northeastern Taiwan's Yilan County, one week after announcing an NT$1.25 trillion (around US$40 billion) eight-year special defense budget. The inspection reinforced his administration's commitment to military readiness and modernization amid escalating regional security concerns and increased military activities by the People's Republic of China around Taiwan.
The president emphasized Taiwan's military serves three fundamental purposes during his Yilan County inspection: defending the homeland, protecting the people and maintaining regional and world peace. "The purpose of our national military is to defend the homeland and protect the people," Lai said to assembled troops and military officials. He visited the reserve brigade, a critical component of Taiwan's layered defense architecture and overall military strategy. The reserve forces serve as backup to Taiwan's active-duty military personnel.
The training program marks a significant shift in Taiwan's defense strategy and military modernization efforts, incorporating American military expertise and tactical knowledge directly into the instruction process. "We have added U.S.-trained personnel to our instructor team. They brought back valuable tactical knowledge and insights," Lai revealed during his remarks to the assembled trainees. The collaboration represents enhanced cooperation between Taiwan and the United States military training systems, strengthening Taiwan's defensive capabilities through knowledge transfer.
The updated curriculum introduces drone operations and urban warfare tactics, representing a new milestone in Taiwan's reserve force training and military modernization. Seventy percent of the trainees are local Yilan residents, giving them intimate knowledge of the terrain they would defend in potential conflict scenarios. The program emphasizes new training methods, new thinking, new equipment and new technology. Trainees can apply for civilian drone operator certificates after completing the military training.
"National security has no room for compromise," President Lai declared during his inspection of the reserve brigade training exercises. "National sovereignty, freedom, and democracy are the foundation of our country." He emphasized the position transcends partisan politics: "This is not about ideology. This is the shared position of all Taiwan's people." The statement underscored broad political consensus on defense priorities amid increasing external pressures from the People's Republic of China.
The special defense budget aims to upgrade existing systems and create the "T-Dome" (台灣之盾), Taiwan's comprehensive integrated defense shield system. The system will preserve military capabilities during potential conflicts, protect critical infrastructure from attacks and safeguard citizens' lives and property across the island. The initiative also promotes defense self-sufficiency and industrial modernization, upgrading Taiwan's manufacturing base to support domestic weapons production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Lai emphasized that achieving genuine peace requires demonstrable military strength, rather than relying solely on wishful thinking or diplomatic concessions. He specifically warned against the People's Republic of China's documented strategy of converting routine training exercises into actual military operations against Taiwan. Taiwan cannot achieve lasting peace by yielding to the demands or territorial claims of aggressors, he emphasized during his remarks to military personnel. The president framed enhanced military preparedness and modernization as essential for both Taiwan's national security and broader regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31)