President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) warned that if China attacks Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and other countries could be its next target in an AFP News Agency interview at the Presidential Office published this Thursday. He also spoke regarding Taiwan-EU and Taiwan-U.S. relations, defense, cross-strait relations, and the semiconductor industry.

“If Taiwan were to be annexed,” the president said, “the next countries under threat would be Japan, the Philippines, and others in the Indo-Pacific region, with repercussions eventually reaching the Americas and Europe.”

Lai described the recent purge of Chinese military officers as “unusual,” and emphasized that this does not change the necessity for Taiwan to be prepared. He stressed that Taiwan must significantly strengthen its defense capabilities.

President Lai told AFP that he is confident the Legislature will pass an additional US$40 billion special defense budget for key defense procurement, including weapons purchases from the U.S.

Although Beijing has warned Washington against arms sales to Taiwan, Lai said the U.S. will support Taiwan and not use it as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations.