Taiwan to boost military spending to 'deter war' with China

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced on Saturday that the democratic island intends to bolster its defence spending in order to deter potential aggression from China. With a population of 23 million, Taiwan is constantly at risk of an attack from the neighboring country, which claims the island as its own territory and has threatened to use force to annex it.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark Taiwan’s National Day, Lai emphasized that the increase in defence investment is not meant to provoke, but rather to deter war. Over the past few years, successive administrations have intensified military spending to enhance Taiwan’s military capabilities and demonstrate its commitment to self-defense, especially in light of China's growing military pressure.

For 2027, Lai’s administration has set a record NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion) in defence spending, which constitutes more than three percent of the island’s GDP. Lai reiterated that Taiwan does not seek dominance over other nations and seeks peace, but he also noted that peace cannot be guaranteed without concrete actions and tolerance cannot be used as an excuse for adversaries to encroach upon Taiwan.

While Lai welcomed discussions between the United States and China, he stressed the importance of respecting Taiwan's right to exist. Washington and Taipei have consistently communicated that the United States' stance on Taiwan has remained unchanged under President Donald Trump, despite his remarks that have occasionally caused concern.

The United States remains Taiwan's primary security ally, providing crucial support through various means, including arms sales. Trump’s proposal in May during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that US arms sales to Taiwan could be a bargaining chip with China sparked global alarm. Ahead of Lai’s broad-ranging speech, Taiwan conducted a military parade and performance, featuring fighter jets, helicopters, and flags carrying Taiwanese pride.

The 115th National Day celebration commemorates the end of China’s Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. The ongoing dispute between China and Taiwan stems from a civil war between Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces, who fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing to Mao Zedong's communist forces. Han Kuo-yu, a senior member of the opposition party that favors closer ties with China, acknowledged the importance of US support for Taiwan's security but emphasized the shared historical and cultural ties between the two nations.