國防是守護和平的關鍵
President William Lai recently spoke with The New York Times at the DealBook Summit about Taiwan’s national security and the reasons behind a newly proposed special defense budget.
賴清德總統近日在《紐約時報》DealBook峰會中，談到台灣的國家安全，以及提出國防特別預算的原因。
summit(n.)山峰、高峰、峰會
In the interview, he stressed that Taiwan has a responsibility to protect itself while also maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
他在專訪中強調，台灣有責任保護自己，同時也必須維護台海的和平與穩定。
stability(n.)穩定stable(adj.)穩定的unstable(adj.)不穩定的
His message to the international audience was clear: peace is priceless, but it cannot be protected by good intentions alone.
他向國際社會傳達的訊息相當明確：和平無價，但不能只靠善意來守護。
priceless(adj.)貴重的、無價的invaluable(adj.)無價的good intentions好意the road to hell is paved with good intentions黃泉路上徒有好意多have every intention of doing打定主意做、下定決心做～
During the discussion, President Lai pointed to China’s increasingly frequent and intense military drills around Taiwan.
在訪談中，賴總統指出，中國近期在台灣周邊進行的軍事演習次數越來越頻繁，強度也明顯升高。
intense(adj.)強烈的、極度的、激烈的drill(n.)演習
He noted that these exercises now extend beyond the first island chain and have begun to affect the broader Indo-Pacific region.
他表示，這些演習已經超出第一島鏈，開始影響整個印太地區。
military exercise軍事演習the first island chain第一島鏈be chained to the desk俯首案前
At the same time, he warned that political influence efforts targeting Taiwan have become more aggressive, adding pressure to the regional security environment.
同時，他也警告，針對台灣的政治影響與滲透行動日益加劇，進一步增加區域安全壓力。
at the same time同時=in the meantime=meanwhileaggressive(adj.)侵略性的
President Lai emphasized that raising defense spending does not mean Taiwan wants conflict.
賴總統強調，提高國防預算並不代表台灣想要發生衝突。
conflict(n.)衝突in conflict with~與～衝突、分歧come into conflict with~與～發生衝突
On the contrary, he said that war has no winners and that peace must be built on real strength.
相反地，他表示戰爭沒有贏家，真正的和平必須建立在實力之上。
on the contrary相反地、正好相反military strength軍事實力
Alongside military readiness, Taiwan is also working to reduce its economic dependence on China and improve economic resilience, making the island better prepared for long-term challenges.
除了強化軍事準備，台灣也正努力降低對中國的經濟依賴，並提升經濟韌性，讓國家更能應對長期挑戰。
dependence(n.)依賴、仰賴=relianceresilient(adj.)有韌性的;能復原的;有復原力的;適應性強的resilience(n.)復原力;韌性
Finally, when asked about possible timelines for Chinese military action, Lai avoided speculation. Instead, he explained Taiwan’s guiding principle: prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.
最後，當被問到中國可能採取軍事行動的時間表時，賴總統並未進行揣測，而是說明台灣的基本原則：做最壞的打算，同時做最好的準備。
finally(adv.)最後=in the endspeculate(v.)猜測;推測;推斷、投機;做投機買賣speculation(n.)猜測、臆測prepare for the worst為最壞的情況做準備assume the worst往最壞處想、做最壞的打算
He also thanked international partners, including the United States and Japan, for recognizing that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential to global security and prosperity.
他也感謝包括美國、日本在內的國際夥伴，認同台海和平穩定是全球安全與繁榮的重要基石。
recognize(v.)承認、認同essential(adj.)關鍵的;必要的=crucial=critical