<p>Taiwan&#8217;s message to the international community is that it is determined to defend itself and that people should not believe any claim it has surrendered in the event of invasion, President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday, capping a week of defense events.</p>
<p>Democratically-governed Taiwan has faced stepped up military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan&#8217;s government rejects those claims, saying only the island&#8217;s people can decide their future.</p>
<p>Addressing a forum on Taiwan&#8217;s efforts to boost its preparations for natural disaster or war, Lai referenced the government&#8217;s new civil defence handbook, which was launched on Tuesday as part of efforts to get people ready for a possible Chinese attack.</p>
<p>The handbook gives vital information on how to stay safe, he said to an audience that included Western envoys to Taipei.</p>
<p>&#8220;More importantly, we tell everyone, &#8216;In the event of a military invasion of Taiwan, any claim that the government has surrendered or that the nation has been defeated is false,'&#8221; Lai said, quoting one of the key messages in the handbook.</p>
<p>&#8220;As commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Republic of China, I want to tell my fellow citizens and the international community that this is Taiwan&#8217;s position,&#8221; he said, using Taiwan&#8217;s formal name.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are determined to defend freedom and democracy and a sustainable Taiwan.&#8221;</p>
<p>China&#8217;s Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.</p>
<p>Taiwan this week hosted its largest ever arms show, drawing a host of international companies looking to win a share of the island&#8217;s rapidly increasing defense spending.</p>
<p>Taiwan is also actively courting global defense companies for closer collaboration, such as joint production of weapons.</p>
<p>Speaking separately on Saturday at the opening of a branch office in Taipei, Brandon Tseng, president of U.S. company Shield AI, said his company could have hundreds of employees in Taiwan over the next three to five years.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a region that Shield AI is deeply investing in and deeply committed to,&#8221; said Tseng, who chatted with Lai on Friday as he visited the arms show, where the company was showcasing its V-BAT drones that have been combat-tested in Ukraine.</p>
<p>Shield AI this month signed a &#8220;teaming agreement&#8221; with Taiwan government defense contractor Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, although Tseng declined to give details on possible sales to the island.</p>
<p>(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Tom Hogue)</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Taiwan Determined To Defend Itself, President Says After Defense Events

CONTINUE READING

Trump To Congress: You Run The Kennedy Center

Trump Weighs AI Oversight Order As MAGA Allies Sound Alarm

Disgraced Hollywood Mogul’s Latest Rape Trial Ends Without Verdict

Republicans Move To Wipe Out Democrat Seats In Louisiana, South Carolina

Chinese Agent Found Guilty In NYC ‘Secret Police Station’ Case

Tariff Ruling Faces Pushback As Trump Blasts ‘Radical Left Judges’

News

Communist China

Global Politics

Military

Taiwan

World

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Taiwan Determined To Defend Itself, President Says After Defense Events