Taiwan defence spending rise meant to deter war, L...

Summary

• Taiwan defence spending is rising to “deter war” rather than provoke conflict, President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday as China kept up military pressure.
• Record Taiwan defence spending planned for 2027For 2027, Lai’s administration plans record Taiwan defence spending of 1.1 trillion Taiwan dollars ($34.5 billion).
• Separately, in January the defence ministry disclosed what it planned to buy under a proposed special budget of 1.25 trillion New Taiwan dollars ($40 billion).

AI Generated Summary

Taiwan defence spending is rising to “deter war” rather than provoke conflict, President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday as China kept up military pressure.

Lai made the remarks in his annual National Day speech outside the Presidential Office in Taipei. Foreign diplomats stood among the thousands in the crowd.

“Our aim by increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke,” Lai said. Instead, he said, the goal “is to deter war.”

Before the speech, Taiwanese fighter jets flew over the capital. In addition, two Chinook helicopters carried giant Taiwan flags across the sky in a show of strength.

Record Taiwan defence spending planned for 2027

For 2027, Lai’s administration plans record Taiwan defence spending of 1.1 trillion Taiwan dollars ($34.5 billion). That sum equals more than three percent of the island’s GDP.

Successive governments in Taipei have raised military budgets to improve the island’s ability to fight off a possible Chinese invasion. At the same time, they also signal to Washington that Taipei treats its own security as a priority.