Taipei:President Lai Ching-te delivered a National Day address emphasizing Taiwan's commitment to peace and stability while avoiding provocation towards Beijing, according to a political science scholar.

According to Focus Taiwan, Lai's speech, titled "Taiwan's Future A City upon a Hill, the Salt and Light of the World," conveyed aspirations for Taiwan's future amid global challenges such as wars and authoritarian expansion. Lai asserted that Taiwan should confidently build a "city upon a hill," reflecting the nation's decades-long efforts to become a model of democracy and economic development.

Chen Shih-min, an associate professor at National Taiwan University, noted that Lai's speech focused on maintaining stability, expressing a clear stance, and reaffirming Taiwan's role in safeguarding peace. Lai's pragmatic approach in major speeches typically centers on domestic achievements, Taiwan's international role, and cross-strait relations, without offering Beijing any pretext for military action.

On the topic of U.S.-China relations, Chen observed that while some believe strategic competition between these powers benefits Taiwan, Lai expressed support for dialogue between Washington and Beijing to manage competition and reduce conflict risks in the Taiwan Strait. Lai also underscored Taiwan's defense capabilities as a deterrent to war rather than a provocation, countering claims that Taiwan destabilizes the region.

Additionally, Tsai Jung-hsiang, a professor at National Chung Cheng University, highlighted Lai's focus on reaffirming peace, clarifying historical narratives, and strengthening international ties. Tsai pointed out that peace must be maintained through strength, including asymmetric weapon development and enhanced defense capabilities in cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners.

Tsai also mentioned Taiwan's thriving economic performance, with projected annual growth exceeding 11 percent and increasing trade with the United States outpacing that with China and Hong Kong. The Taiwan Stock Exchange's benchmark index has reached 49,000 points, positioning it as the world's fourth-largest stock market by market capitalization, demonstrating Taiwan's growing global economic integration despite reduced dependence on China.