Taiwan's president used the National Day address to tout a booming economy, a positive message for investors but one met with warnings about political division at home.

• Taiwan's economy is on track to grow more than 11% this year, the strongest in 39 years, with income per person nearly double what it was in 2016.
• The Taiwan stock index has climbed past 49,000, making it the world's fourth-largest stock market.
• Lai listed welfare wins — child allowances, elder care, rent support, and a higher minimum wage — and said energy policy will not be driven by ideology.
• He framed Taiwan as a "city on a hill" built on democratic rule, welcomed US-China talks, but said Taiwan will not accept being diminished.
• Legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu pushed back, warning that fighting between the legislature and the executive risks making Taiwan look like a "fake democracy," while opposition voices said growth numbers do not fix high housing costs and rising prices.

Outlook: The fight now moves to the central government budget, which Lai is pressing lawmakers to pass quickly, with the 2026 local elections raising the political stakes.