EDITORIAL: Reflecting on the Year of the SnakeWith the Year of the Snake reaching its conclusion on Monday next week, now is an opportune moment to reflect on the past year — a year marked by institutional strain and national resilience. For Taiwan, the Year of the Snake was a composite of political friction, economic momentum, social unease and strategic consolidation. Most notable is the ongoing impasse over the government’s proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.65 billion) special defense budget, widely seen as essential amid intensifying pressure from China. The year also saw strides in whole-of-society defense resilience. The task now is not merely to celebrate national resilience, but to build upon it — with steadiness, foresight and a renewed sense of a shared purpose.

Source: Taipei Times February 13, 2026 18:13 UTC