Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) Taiwan must beef up its defense capabilities to deter any military adventures from mainland China, President Chen Shui-bian said Sunday.
Addressing a rally marking the 50th anniversary of the Veterans Affairs Commission under the Executive Yuan, Chen said that the mainland has never abandoned the option of using force against Taiwan.
Beijing dared not to initiate an attack on Taiwan over the past five decades because Taiwan had sufficient defense capabilities, Chen noted.
In the face of China's growing military buildup nowadays, he added, Taiwan must beef up its defense capabilities to avert war and ensure peace across the Taiwan Strait as well as the country's and regional security.
Although legislators of various political parties can have different opinions on the matter, they should seek a consesus through rational discussions and communications, the president stressed.
It is irresponsible to ground the budget proposal by using technically the steering procedures in the legislature, he criticized.
Chen called on lawmakers across the political spectrum to put the national security and interests on the priority instead of personal and party's interests in dealing with the budget proposal.