{
  "id": 13331617,
  "title": "Taiwan’s leader says increasing defence spending to ‘deter war’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/taiwans-leader-says-increasing-defence-spending-to-deter-war-13331617",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T05:01:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hong Kong Free Press",
    "slug": "hong-kong-free-press-hongkongfp",
    "url": "https://hongkongfp.com/2026/10/10/taiwans-leader-says-increasing-defence-spending-to-deter-war/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced on Saturday that the democratic island plans to ramp up its defence spending to \"deter war,\" amid China's growing military pressure over territorial claims. With a population of 23 million people, Taiwan lives in constant fear of a Chinese attack, which the mainland insists is its sovereign territory. In a speech to celebrate Taiwan's National Day, President Lai emphasized that the aim of increasing national defence investments is not to provoke but to deter war. Successive administrations have bolstered military spending to improve Taiwan's fighting capabilities and demonstrate its commitment to self-defence, including a record NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion) allocation in 2027, accounting for over three percent of the country's GDP. President Lai stressed that Taiwan does not seek hegemony or to dominate others, but acknowledged that peace cannot solely rely on hopes and tolerance cannot be used as an excuse for aggressors to encroach further. He welcomed talks between the United States and China but maintained that Taiwan's existence must be respected. While the United States has maintained its official diplomatic relations with Beijing for nearly 50 years, Washington remains Taiwan's most important security ally. The recent US$14 billion weapons deal, including the US-made Patriot air defence system, has raised concerns worldwide. The celebration, marking Taiwan's 115th National Day, also addressed housing pressure and the declining population, with Taiwanese people expressing warmth and unity during the military parade and dance performances.",
  "summary": "Taiwan aims to “deter war” by increasing its defence spending, the democratic island’s leader said on Saturday, as China uses military pressure to assert its territorial claims. Taiwan’s 23 million people live under the constant threat of an attack by China, which insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Taiwan’s leader says increasing defence spending to ‘deter war’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/taiwans-leader-says-increasing-defence-spending-to-deter-war",
        "published": "2026-10-10T03:23:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Taiwan’s leader says increasing defense spending to ‘deter war’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/taiwans-leader-says-increasing-defense-spending-to-deter-war",
        "published": "2026-10-10T04:29:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hong Kong Free Press",
        "title": "Taiwan’s leader says increasing defence spending to ‘deter war’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/taiwans-leader-says-increasing-defence-spending-to-deter-war-13329191",
        "published": "2026-10-10T05:01:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Taiwan president says defence spending boost aims to ‘deter war’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/taiwan-president-says-defence-spending-boost-aims-to-deter-war",
        "published": "2026-10-10T05:08:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Taiwan’s leader says increasing defence spending to ‘deter war’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/taiwans-leader-says-increasing-defence-spending-to-deter-war-13343694",
        "published": "2026-10-10T06:28:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}