Defense, Security & Intelligence
Taiwan President Announces Major Defense Spending Increase Amid Rising Chinese Military Pressure
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has announced plans to increase defense spending to NT$1.1 trillion, equivalent to more than 3% of GDP, to counter growing Chinese military pressure and deter a potential conflict across the Taiwan Strait. Lai stressed that Taiwan's goal was to prevent war, not provoke one, as Taipei seeks to modernize its armed forces and awaits approval of a $14 billion U.S. arms package that includes Patriot air defense systems.
