President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) warned on Tuesday that opposition parties blocking a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget risk are paving the way for Beijing’s demand that “patriots govern Taiwan,” likening it to Hong Kong’s model under “one country, two systems.” 

Lai made the remarks during a meeting with the 2025 delegation for North America’s Taiwan Center Foundation, during which he outlined his three core missions: ensuring national security, economic growth, and public welfare. He criticized opposition forces for rejecting the eight-year budget aimed at building a “Taiwan shield,” or T-Dome, against escalating Chinese threats. Lai accused them of embracing China's 1992 Consensus, which Xi Jinping (習近平) equates to one country, two systems.

The president contrasted his approach with that of former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), whose administration saw Taiwan's defense spending fall below 2% of GDP while China's military budget surged; the move yielded no goodwill from Beijing. It wasn’t until President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office that spending rose to 2.4-2.5% of GDP. 

Lai stressed that “patriots,” by China’s definition, seek rapid unification by turning Taiwanese into Chinese. He said his mission is to safeguard national security and freedom.

Taiwan's economy is poised for 7% growth this year, outpacing Japan, the U.S., the EU, and China, Lai added, crediting the DPP with defending democracy, security, and prosperity. He expressed his hope that everyone would continue to work together for Taiwan.