Taiwan President Lai Issues Stark Warning to China | AFP Interview

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te warned that a Chinese takeover of Taiwan would likely embolden Beijing to target Japan, the Philippines, and other nations in the Indo-Pacific region, in an exclusive interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) published today.

The interview, conducted by AFP Global News Director Philip Chetwynd and Taipei Bureau Chief Allison Jackson, marks Lai’s first in-depth conversation with an international news agency since assuming office in May 2024. AFP prominently featured the interview, labeling it as a global news lead and referring to Lai as “Taiwan’s President” throughout its coverage.

Lai emphasized the necessity for Taiwan to significantly bolster its defensive capabilities. “Taiwan has a responsibility to defend itself,” he told AFP, adding that the relationship between Taiwan and the United States is “rock solid” and that Washington should not employ Taiwan as a bargaining chip in negotiations with China.

The Taiwanese President also expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with European nations, particularly in the areas of defense and artificial intelligence (AI). He lauded Europe’s ongoing support for Ukraine in its resistance against the Russian invasion, according to the AFP report.

The interview covered a range of critical topics, including Taiwan’s relationships with Europe and the United States, national defense strategies, cross-strait relations, and the crucial semiconductor industry. According to a statement from Taiwan’s Central News Agency, AFP proactively previewed the interview’s content, signaling the international importance placed on Lai’s perspectives.

The role of a Senior Editor, as described by the American Association of Journalists, involves upholding editorial integrity and setting the direction for content, making crucial decisions that reflect the publication’s values. This interview, and AFP’s framing of it, suggests a significant editorial judgment regarding the newsworthiness of Lai’s statements and the evolving geopolitical landscape.

As of today, February 12, 2026, there has been no official response from Beijing to Lai’s comments as reported by AFP.