Taiwan sets record defence budget to deter Chinese attack
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:37 · Archive
Taiwan has earmarked a record NT$1.1 trillion in defence spending for 2027, more than 3% of GDP.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced a record defence budget of NT$1.1 trillion for 2027, equivalent to more than 3% of gross domestic product. In a National Day speech delivered in Taipei on Saturday before thousands of people, including foreign diplomats, Lai said the spending increase aims to 'deter war' rather than provoke conflict.
Lai emphasised that Taiwan 'cherishes peace' and will 'not give up our freedom', whilst stating the island remains 'open to exchanges, but will not accept subordination'. He accused China of continuing to 'apply pressure through military and grey-zone activities in an attempt to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait'. Grey-zone tactics are actions that stop short of open war. 'Peace cannot rely solely on wishes, and tolerance cannot become a pretext for aggressors to encroach ever further,' he added.
Taiwan's 23 million people live under constant threat of attack by China, which insists the island is part of its territory and has never renounced using force to take it. Beijing has rebuffed Lai's offers of talks and calls him a 'separatist'. China held war games around Taiwan after Lai's first National Day speech in 2024, though it did not do so last year. Its last military drills near Taiwan took place in late December, following an $11 billion US arms deal with the island.
How it is being reported
- Taiwan president says defence spending boost aims to ‘deter war’President Lai Ching-te emphasises peace and freedom, vows not to tolerate aggression in Taiwan Strait.Al Jazeera · 10 Oct, 06:08
- Taiwan’s leader says increasing defense spending to ‘deter war’Taiwan has earmarked a record NT$1.1 trillion in defense spending for 2027, which accounts for more than 3% of GDP.The Japan Times · 10 Oct, 05:29
In this story: Taiwan · Lai Ching-te · China · Taipei · Beijing · United States
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