Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te turned the Democratic Progressive Party's 40th anniversary into a political mobilisation, stressing that unity is essential in the face of pressure from China — a tough message for Beijing and a pre-election challenge to the opposition at home.

• Lai said Taiwan faces two problems at once: China's military threats and united-front tactics internationally and in the Taiwan Strait, and the DPP's lack of a majority in the Legislative Yuan, which is obstructing government policy.
• He stated that Taiwan will "absolutely not compromise" in the face of China, and that this generation has no right to give up on defending sovereignty and democracy.
• The year-end local elections are the focus, with the DPP campaigning on generational renewal: its mayoral candidates in the six special municipalities are on average 12 years younger than their Kuomintang rivals.
• The economy is also on the table: from next year, an annual budget of NT$25 billion will help small and medium-sized enterprises transform and upgrade, with large companies expected to support smaller ones.
• Lai, who also serves as party chairman, characterised the past decade as the implementation of a welfare-state agenda, citing policies such as state support for raising children aged 0 to 6 and tuition-free private senior high and vocational schools.

Outlook: The campaign will be fought along two main lines — sovereignty and generational change — while the party's shortfall of seats in the Legislative Yuan will not change in the short term.