Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Says Defence Spending Boost Aims to Deter War
· World · Al Jazeera, The Hindu
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated during a National Day speech in Taipei that the island cherishes peace and will not accept subordination from Beijing. Addressing thousands of people and foreign diplomats outside the Presidential Office, Lai said the record 1.1 trillion New Taiwan dollars earmarked for defence in 2027 is intended to deter war rather than provoke conflict. The government's defence allocation accounts for more than 3 percent of gross domestic product amid constant military pressure from Beijing. Lai also welcomed planned talks between the US and China while insisting on respect for the right of Taiwan's 23 million people to exist.
Why it matters
Rising military spending and cross-strait tensions directly impact regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and international security ties involving the US and China.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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