Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will use his national day speech to defend higher military spending.

An official preview said Lai will argue that boosting defenses and spending more on the military is not a ‘provocation’. It reflects the Taiwanese people’s hope to maintain peace and freedom.

The speech comes as cross-strait tensions remain high. China claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out force.

Taiwan has been raising its defense budget in response to growing Chinese military pressure around the island.

The message is aimed at both domestic and international audiences. Taipei wants to show resolve while avoiding steps Beijing could see as a move toward independence.

US officials will be watching closely. Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and supports the island’s self-defense.

The speech will be Lai’s most important address of the year. Every word will be parsed in Beijing and Washington.

Taiwan’s opposition has questioned the pace of military spending. Lai is expected to frame the budget as the price of deterrence.