Camille Naredo

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the Republic of China (ROC) Military Academy during the academy's 100th anniversary ceremony in Kaohsiung on June 16, 2024.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the Republic of China (ROC) Military Academy during the academy's 100th anniversary ceremony in Kaohsiung on June 16, 2024. (Photo by Sam Yeh / AFP)

Article (news)

Taiwan

Reuters Wires

<p>Peace can only be secured through strength and even an inch of territory cannot be sacrificed, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday (August 23), visiting a sensitive frontline island to mark a key battle with Chinese forces almost seven decades ago.</p><p>Taiwan has controlled the Kinmen and Matsu islands, which lay just off the Chinese coast, since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taipei in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong&#x27;s communists. No peace treaty or armistice has ever been signed.</p><p>In heavy rain, Lai laid a wreath and bowed his head in respect at a memorial park for the 68th anniversary of the 1958 clash with Chinese forces, known as the start of the second Taiwan Strait crisis.</p><p>Addressing veterans at a lunch afterwards, Lai said he had come to express gratitude to those who &quot;stood united and fought a bloody battle to repel Communist totalitarian aggression&quot;.</p><p>&quot;Our resolve to unite in defending national sovereignty and safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Strait must never waver,&quot; Lai said. </p><p>Penghu is another Taiwan-controlled group of islands, in the Taiwan Strait.</p><p>China&#x27;s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p><div><strong>(Camera, Editing, Production: Yi-Chin Lee; Writing: Ben Blanchard)</strong></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/marcos-ph-will-not-be-a-launch-pad-for-us-attacks-if-china-invades-taiwan-2347">READ: PH will not be a launch pad for US attacks if China invades Taiwan—Marcos</a></div>

<p>Peace can only be secured through strength and even an inch of territory cannot be sacrificed, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday, visiting a sensitive frontline island to mark a key battle with Chinese forces almost seven decades ago.</p>

Peace can only be secured through strength and even an inch of territory cannot be sacrificed, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Sunday, visiting a sensitive frontline island to mark a key battle with Chinese forces almost seven decades ago.

Taiwan president says 'never yielding an inch' on frontline island battle anniversary

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Taiwan president says 'never yielding an inch' on frontline island battle anniversary

Reuters

Published August 24, 2026 12:55 AM PHT

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: Taiwan

Lai Ching-te

China

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