Tsai says China exerts 'sustained' pressure on Taiwan

She described Taiwan's security challenge as "particularly immediate," citing daily cyberattacks, cognitive warfare, information manipulation, economic coercion, and attempts to compromise critical infrastructure. Tsai also noted the regular operations of Chinese military aircraft and vessels around Taiwan, as well as increasingly common coast guard and other activities in its waters.

Tsai characterized such "grey zone" activity as an effort to impose costs, test Taiwan's responses, and gradually change the security landscape without triggering an open confrontation. She stressed the need for Taiwan to respond to this sustained pressure in a way that preserves its confidence and freedom of action while continuing to strengthen its defense capabilities.

China views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to achieve reunification. Beijing has refused to engage with Tsai's successor, Lai Ching-te, who, like Tsai, rejects China's sovereignty claims. China's embassy in Washington reiterated its opposition to official interactions between China's Taiwan region and the U.S.

Tsai also highlighted Taiwan's deep integration into global technology and manufacturing networks, warning that a significant disruption in the Taiwan Strait would impact the Indo-Pacific and beyond. She argued that deeper cooperation with Taiwan strengthens its security, the stability of the Indo-Pacific, and the resilience of the democratic community.