TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) told a US radio program that China’s military buildup threatens Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and US interests, according to a press release on Tuesday.

Lai said Taiwan and China “are not subordinate to each other” during an interview with “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” in Taipei. He added that Taiwan’s defense of its sovereignty and democracy “should not be seen as a provocation against China.”

“It is China, not Taiwan, that is disrupting the cross-strait status quo,” Lai said. He pointed out that China has been holding military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, undermining peace and stability in the region.

Lai mentioned his Four Pillars of Peace action plan to bolster national defense, economic resilience, and cooperation with democratic allies. He said Taiwan’s defense budget will rise to 3.32% of GDP next year and could reach 5% by 2030.

The president also warned that if China invades Taiwan, it would further challenge US leadership and threaten the rules-based international order. He called on US President Donald Trump to continue supporting Indo-Pacific stability.

Besides security, Lai said Taiwan is supporting families raising children from birth to 6 years old by providing monthly subsidies, a policy he said aims to promote social stability and sustained growth.