Lai Ching’s German Day speech attracted the attention of three major foreign media. In addition to Indo-Pacific cooperation, this matter is also of concern

President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech at the National Day Conference. The Associated Press and other foreign media focused on its strategic appeal for Indo-Pacific democracies to maintain peace. (Bloomberg)

Taiwan's National Day Convention has come to an end, and the international media's interpretation perspective has shifted away from cross-strait political discussion and turned to a more macro geostrategic perspective. Foreign media have focused on President Lai Ching-te's clear appeal to the "Indo-Pacific Democratic Camp", which shows that Taiwan is actively connecting Taiwan Strait security issues with the international camp.

According to the Associated Press, President Lai called on democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region to "join forces" to maintain regional stability in his National Day speech, hoping that all countries would jointly prevent the expansion of aggressors. The Associated Press pointed out that the Taiwan Strait is still a source of tension between the United States and China at this stage; in his speech, although President Lai expressed welcome to the United States and China to manage competition through dialogue, he also emphasized that to maintain regional peace, the joint assistance of the Indo-Pacific democratic camp is indispensable.

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Bloomberg cuts in from the perspective of the game between the United States and China. The report pointed out that the timing of President Lai's speech came immediately after the high-profile summit between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Bloomberg analysis, in the context of the meeting between the heads of state of the United States and China in an attempt to manage bilateral differences, President Lai actively urged democratic countries around the world to maintain unity and ensure that Taiwan's security interests are not marginalized in U.S.-China interactions.

In addition to seeking international alliances, foreign media are also paying attention to Taiwan's actual actions to demonstrate its determination to defend itself. Agence France-Presse reported that President Lai emphasized that the purpose of increasing defense investment is not to provoke, but to "deter war." The report specifically pointed out that Taiwan has compiled a defense budget of up to NT$1.1 trillion in 2027, accounting for more than 3% of gross domestic product (GDP), in order to show Washington that it is serious about self-defense.

Agence France-Presse highlights hidden concerns about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan

Agence France-Presse further analyzed that although President Lai welcomed the dialogue between the United States and China, he also insisted that the right to existence of the Taiwanese people must be respected. The report bluntly stated that after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May this year, U.S. President Trump suggested that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan might become a "bargaining chip" in negotiations with China. These remarks have aroused international alarm.

Regarding the actual progress of military cooperation, Agence France-Presse pointed out an objective status quo between Taiwan and the United States at the end of its report. The report pointed out that Taiwan is still waiting for Trump to sign a weapons purchase deal worth about US$14 billion, which includes the US-made Patriot air defense missile system.