President Lai Criticizes KMT's 'Two-Legged' Security Theory, Says It Lets China 'Cut Off a Leg'
On May 20, President Lai Ching-te criticized KMT legislator Cheng Li-wun's 'two-legged' national security theory at the Presidential Office. President Lai argued the theory is unstable, stating that Cheng's obstruction of military purchases amounts to 'cutting off one leg,' while her acceptance of the '1992 Consensus' and abandonment of Taiwan's sovereignty allows China to 'cut off the other leg,' a situation he called extremely dangerous for Taiwan. He reiterated his 'Four Pillars of Peace' plan—strengthening defense, enhancing economic resilience, cooperating with democracies, and engaging in dialogue with China based on parity and dignity—as the foundation for Taiwan's security and regional peace.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 12:33
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Regarding the 'two-legged theory' on national security proposed by KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, President Lai Ching-te stated that the theory fails to provide a stable foundation. He added that Cheng leading the obstruction of military purchases is equivalent to cutting off one of Taiwan's own legs, while accepting the '1992 Consensus' lets China cut off the other leg, making the situation very dangerous for Taiwan.
The Legislative Yuan passed the 'Special Act for the Procurement of Systems to Safeguard National Security and Enhance Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities' on its third reading on the 8th, with a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion. In response, Cheng Li-wun stated that Taiwan's national security must stand firm on two legs: one is a sufficient and strong defense force, and the other is the unending effort and determination to seek cross-strait peace, expand peaceful dialogue and exchanges, and stabilize cross-strait relations.
President Lai delivered a speech this morning at the Presidential Office on the second anniversary of his administration (editor's note: text as written, but Lai just took office) and took questions from the media.
When asked by the media for his view on Cheng Li-wun's 'two-legged theory' and whether cross-strait tourism would resume, President Lai said that Cheng's theory is unstable and cannot provide a stable foundation for Taiwan's national security. He pointed out that Cheng leading the charge to block military purchases, which affects defense capabilities, is like cutting off one's own leg. He added that Cheng's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and acceptance of the '1992 Consensus'—abandoning Taiwan's subjectivity—is tantamount to letting China cut off the other leg, a situation he described as very dangerous for Taiwan.
President Lai said that regarding Taiwan's security and regional peace and stability, he proposed the 'Four Pillars of Peace' action plan upon taking office. The first is to strengthen national defense, where foreign military sales, promoting defense self-sufficiency, and developing drones, uncrewed surface vessels, or underwater uncrewed vehicles are all necessary measures. The second is to enhance economic resilience. In 2010, 83.4% of Taiwan's outbound investment went to China, but last year it was only 3.7%. Taiwan has avoided putting all its eggs in one basket, preventing China from using economic leverage for political pressure. As Taiwan engages with the world, it not only secures its subjectivity but also fosters economic prosperity.
President Lai said the third pillar is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the democratic camp for collective defense and shared responsibility. This not only helps exert deterrence and achieve peace through strength but also ensures Taiwan's security and regional peace. Fourth, as long as there is parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to have exchanges and dialogue with China, replacing containment with exchange and confrontation with dialogue. Taiwan hopes to achieve the goal of peaceful coexistence and common prosperity with China, but it is regrettable that China has chosen to communicate and cooperate with the opposition parties.
President Lai stated that regarding the tourism industry, his previous statements have not changed: exchanges and cooperation can proceed as long as they are based on parity and dignity.
When asked by the media about the impact on Taiwan or the international community of the KMT supporting 'one China' and stating that the People's Republic of China is not a foreign country, President Lai said that what the KMT and China are doing is essentially promoting unification packaged as peace. It is not about defending the sovereignty of the Republic of China, nor is it about caring for Taiwan's democratic, free, and human rights-based way of life. He believes that Taiwanese society sees this very clearly.
The Legislative Yuan passed the 'Special Act for the Procurement of Systems to Safeguard National Security and Enhance Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities' on its third reading on the 8th, with a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion. In response, Cheng Li-wun stated that Taiwan's national security must stand firm on two legs: one is a sufficient and strong defense force, and the other is the unending effort and determination to seek cross-strait peace, expand peaceful dialogue and exchanges, and stabilize cross-strait relations.
President Lai delivered a speech this morning at the Presidential Office on the second anniversary of his administration (editor's note: text as written, but Lai just took office) and took questions from the media.
When asked by the media for his view on Cheng Li-wun's 'two-legged theory' and whether cross-strait tourism would resume, President Lai said that Cheng's theory is unstable and cannot provide a stable foundation for Taiwan's national security. He pointed out that Cheng leading the charge to block military purchases, which affects defense capabilities, is like cutting off one's own leg. He added that Cheng's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and acceptance of the '1992 Consensus'—abandoning Taiwan's subjectivity—is tantamount to letting China cut off the other leg, a situation he described as very dangerous for Taiwan.
President Lai said that regarding Taiwan's security and regional peace and stability, he proposed the 'Four Pillars of Peace' action plan upon taking office. The first is to strengthen national defense, where foreign military sales, promoting defense self-sufficiency, and developing drones, uncrewed surface vessels, or underwater uncrewed vehicles are all necessary measures. The second is to enhance economic resilience. In 2010, 83.4% of Taiwan's outbound investment went to China, but last year it was only 3.7%. Taiwan has avoided putting all its eggs in one basket, preventing China from using economic leverage for political pressure. As Taiwan engages with the world, it not only secures its subjectivity but also fosters economic prosperity.
President Lai said the third pillar is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the democratic camp for collective defense and shared responsibility. This not only helps exert deterrence and achieve peace through strength but also ensures Taiwan's security and regional peace. Fourth, as long as there is parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to have exchanges and dialogue with China, replacing containment with exchange and confrontation with dialogue. Taiwan hopes to achieve the goal of peaceful coexistence and common prosperity with China, but it is regrettable that China has chosen to communicate and cooperate with the opposition parties.
President Lai stated that regarding the tourism industry, his previous statements have not changed: exchanges and cooperation can proceed as long as they are based on parity and dignity.
When asked by the media about the impact on Taiwan or the international community of the KMT supporting 'one China' and stating that the People's Republic of China is not a foreign country, President Lai said that what the KMT and China are doing is essentially promoting unification packaged as peace. It is not about defending the sovereignty of the Republic of China, nor is it about caring for Taiwan's democratic, free, and human rights-based way of life. He believes that Taiwanese society sees this very clearly.