Lai Ching-te’s National Day address stresses peace, stability and economic resilience

President Lai Ching-te’s National Day address, “Taiwan’s Future: A City upon a Hill, the Salt and Light of the World,” urged Taiwan to build a “city upon a hill” amid global turmoil, positioning the island as a democratic exemplar. Associate professor Chen Shih-min identified three guiding principles: maintaining stability, articulating a clear stance, and safeguarding peace, and said the speech gave Beijing no pretext for force.

Lai also expressed openness to dialogue between Washington and Beijing to manage competition in the Taiwan Strait. Professor Tsai Jung-hsiang noted Lai’s emphasis on peace through strength, including asymmetric weapons and cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners, and cited economic figures such as over 11% projected annual growth and U.S. trade surpassing that with China. The address reinforced Taiwan’s commitment to defence, international cooperation and economic integration while steering clear of provocative rhetoric.