Taiwan's national security chief pushed back hard on an American magazine piece questioning whether the island would give up without a fight, saying resolve has never been stronger — a confident signal for Taipei, and a warning shot to Beijing.

• National Security Council head Joseph Wu called the idea that Taiwan lacks the will to defend itself simply wrong.
• Speaking at a Taipei security forum, he said surrender is never an option and that Taiwan will not abandon itself.
• Government polling since 2021 shows about 7 in 10 people say they are willing to fight to defend Taiwan.
• That number has held steady through the Ukraine war, rising Chinese military pressure, and political upheaval in Washington.
• Taipei points to more defense spending, better equipment, tougher training, and more realistic drills as proof of the shift.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan to keep publicly countering doubts about its resolve as questions about US backing grow louder.