Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te warned that a Chinese invasion would not stop at Taiwan, saying conflict could spread to Japan, the Philippines, and even beyond the region. He stressed Taiwan’s position at the center of the Indo-Pacific “first island chain,” a crucial security and trade corridor linking U.S. allies. Lai noted that Japan, which hosts around 60,000 U.S. troops, and the Philippines, home to nine American bases, could be drawn into a wider confrontation. Beijing dismissed Lai as a “peace disruptor,” reiterating Taiwan is Chinese territory and refusing to rule out force for reunification. Lai pledged to boost defense spending above 3% of GDP this year, aiming for 5% by 2030, expanding domestic arms production to strengthen deterrence despite parliamentary funding hurdles. #Taiwan #China #Japan #Philippines #LaiChingTe #IndoPacific #FirstIslandChain #USMilitary #Beijing #DefenseSpending #Geopolitics #RegionalSecurity #StrategicAmbiguity #CrossStrait #Deterrence #AsiaPacific #MilitaryTensions #BreakingNews #USAllies #WorldPolitics~HT.318~PR.152~ED.532~

Published Feb 14,2026

Category Video  /  News