Taiwan President Marks 1958 Battle Anniversary, Urges ‘Peace Through Strength’

Taiwan President Lai Ching te said peace can only be maintained through strength and vowed that not an inch of territory would be sacrificed, speaking Sunday during a visit to the frontline island of Kinmen to mark the 68th anniversary of a major battle with Chinese forces.

Commemorating the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis

Lai laid a wreath at a memorial park honoring the 1958 clash, which marked the start of the second Taiwan Strait crisis and remains the last large-scale battle between Taiwanese and Chinese forces. Addressing veterans afterward, he thanked those who fought to repel what he described as Communist aggression, stating that peace across the strait requires continued national unity and resolve.

Renewed Warning Over Chinese Expansion

Lai said China has not paused its ambitions for external expansion for nearly seven decades, pointing to ongoing unease across the Indo-Pacific region. He referenced China’s coast guard patrols near Kinmen, which have continued since early 2024 and remain a source of tension between Taipei and Beijing.

Defense Spending Set to Rise

Taiwan’s government announced Thursday that next year’s defense budget will surpass T$1 trillion, roughly $30 billion, for the first time. Lai expressed hope for strong legislative support behind the increased spending as Taiwan continues rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims while remaining open to dialogue.