TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Thursday that strengthening Taiwan’s defense is not meant to escalate conflict, but to ensure a steady response to security challenges.

The president made the remarks during a military promotion ceremony in Taipei, where he called for continued defense reform and modernization, per CNA. He presided over the event alongside senior national security and defense officials.

Lai said Taiwan will continue enhancing asymmetric capabilities and combat readiness while facing gray-zone intrusions and hybrid threats. He stressed that defense policy aims to prevent unilateral changes to the status quo.

He said reforms will continue under a “people-centered, AI-assisted, combat-oriented” approach. He also congratulated newly promoted officers across military medicine, intelligence, and communications units.

Lai urged officers to strengthen protection of classified information and improve security awareness among personnel. He thanked military families for their support, saying their understanding allows service members to focus on defending Taiwan’s democracy.