Taiwan 'a chess player, not a chess piece': Lai

Taipei, Feb. 19 (CNA) Taiwan is "a chess player, not a chess piece" in the shifting geopolitical climate, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Wednesday, reaffirming his administration's commitment to strengthen the country's defense through increased spending and reforms.

"In a rapidly changing international landscape, Taiwan is a chess player, not a chess piece," Lai said at a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Central Standing Committee meeting, in his capacity as party chairperson, according to DPP spokeswoman Han Ying (韓瑩).

Lai expressed confidence that Taiwan will be able to navigate successfully the shifting dynamics at play while at the same time, ensuring national security and preserving Taiwan's leading position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

He reiterated his pledge made during a news conference at the Presidential Office last week that his administration will seek to raise defense spending to more than 3 percent of Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) this year.

Taiwan's annual defense spending has hovered between 2 and 2.5 percent of GDP since former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the DPP took office in 2016, but it has yet to surpass 3 percent.

The pledged increase reflects Taiwan's commitment to push for military reforms and safeguard the country, Lai added.

He also promised more proactive measures to protect Taiwan's undersea communication cables, expressing concern that recent incidents could be part of China's "gra y zone" tactics, coercive actions that fall short of armed conflict.

The president was likely referring to damage sustained by the Trans-Pacific Express (TPE) cable on Jan. 3, which handles communication traffic between Taiwan and other countries.

A China-related freighter was suspected of damaging the cable off Taiwan's northern coast, the government said at that time.

However, more recent damages to the cables, specifically Taiwan-Matsu No. 2 and No. 3, were due to "natural deterioration," according to the Ministry of Digital Affairs.