Speaking at the ROC Military Academy's centennial celebration, the president said that today's cadets must acknowledge the challenges of the new era, in particular the rise of China.

He referenced a phrase used by former President Ma Ying-jeou in 2020, calling it defeatist and absolutely unacceptable.

Last Friday afternoon, a Chinese electronic reconnaissance ship appeared roughly 36 nautical miles southeast of Ushubi, Yilan.

Taiwan's navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force immediately initiated surveillance.

Just one day later, the CCP's Chengdu and Nanyang vessels were sighted in the same area and were monitored closely by Taiwan's navy.

Amid continued harassment from China, President Lai Ching-da had forceful words in his speech at the ROC Military Academy's centennial celebration on Sunday.

He said that Taiwan cannot accept that first battle is the last battle theory, calling it defeatist.

He was referring to a 2020 interview with former President Ma Ying-jeou in which Ma said China intends to take over Taiwan in one swift operation.

Lai's remarks were decried by Ma's office.

What Lai meant is that we cannot accept defeatism.

He said that we can't accept the theory of the first battle is the last battle, that our goal is to continue to strengthen our defense capabilities and to demonstrate our resolve.

We must create a strategy based on actions the enemy might take.

We must develop a defense that weakens the enemy's ability to attack Taiwan.

Defense Chief Wellington Ku pushed back against Ma's office, saying Lai meant to emphasize the for asymmetrical warfare and a layered deterrence strategy to thwart the enemy.

But according to Ma's office, the DPP's Tsai administration had acknowledged the first battle was the last battle notion in a defense report, citing it as the PLA's strategic goal.

The CCP wants the first battle to be the last battle.

It's wishful thinking.

This goal contrasts sharply with our own goal, which is that we will not yield an inch of territory.

He says the so-called defeatism of the first battle is the last battle theory is unacceptable.

Who are these people embracing defeatism?

Can you name some for me?

Who holds such views?

I want to join President Lai in scolding them.

I can't speak for President Lai.

Responding to the opposition's challenge, Ku remained composed, allowing Lai's words to speak for themselves.