Taiwan’s 2027 defense spending to rise 16%, official media reports
Taiwan's Cabinet will propose a budget for 2027 that will for the first time exceed 1 trillion new Taiwan dollars ($31 billion).
Taiwan's Cabinet is set to propose a 16% annual increase in defense spending for 2027, exceeding the T$1.1 trillion ($31 billion) mark for the first time, according to the Central News Agency. This decision comes amid rising military and political pressure from China, which views Taiwan as its territory despite Taipei's democratic governance.
The United States has also urged Taiwan to bolster its defense, mirroring its calls for European nations. President Lai Ching-te has welcomed these calls to spend more on defense, including modernizing Taiwan's military with submarines and developing indigenous weapons. The proposed budget, to be announced on Aug. 20, will surpass 3% of Taiwan's GDP.
China has increased its own defense spending, with a 7% rise in March to 1.91 trillion yuan ($283.08 billion), but refuses to engage with Taiwan's leader, Lai, describing him as a "separatist." During his annual Han Kuang military exercises, Lai emphasized the importance of peacetime preparations for national stability and strength.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
