Taipei: President Lai Ching-te on Thursday said China, not Taiwan, is the party undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific, reiterating that strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities is not a provocation but a necessary step to safeguard democracy.

According to Focus Taiwan, speaking at the eighth meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, Lai stated that Beijing has intensified gray-zone activities, coercion, and infiltration targeting neighboring countries, including Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. These actions have fueled concerns across the Indo-Pacific and internationally.

Lai emphasized, "It is clear from China's authoritarian expansion that China is the one changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and undermining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific." He asserted that Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and protect its democratic way of life are not provocative acts.

He highlighted Beijing's recent maritime operations in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and around the Taiwan Strait, which are conducted under the guise of law enforcement, patrols, or surveys. These operations are seen as efforts to expand influence and undermine regional peace and the rules-based international order.

Lai also referenced the previous week's Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit, noting that its joint statement reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. The statement opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea, South China Sea, or Taiwan Strait by force or coercion.

Taiwan, according to Lai, will respond to the G7's call by upholding the principles of collective defense and burden-sharing. He mentioned that Taiwan will continue collaborating with like-minded countries to strengthen deterrence and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The president expressed gratitude to members of the armed forces and the Coast Guard Administration for their frontline response to China's activities. He emphasized that safeguarding national sovereignty and security is a responsibility shared by the whole of society, not just the military.

Lai underscored the importance of maintaining normal government operations and social functions during crises. "Preparedness brings greater security," he stated, adding that the government will enhance Taiwan's defense resilience through interagency and cross-sector cooperation, exercises, and reviews to strengthen the country's response to hybrid threats.