Taiwan to Boost Military Spending Amid Rising Tensions with China

Taiwan to Increase Military Spending Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan's defense minister, Wellington Koo, announced plans to boost military spending in response to the "rapidly changing international situation and the escalating threats from adversaries." This move comes as China continues to assert its claim over the island, which it considers its own territory.

Koo did not disclose specific figures but emphasized that President William Lai Ching-te is actively collaborating with the ministry to assess enemy threats and address urgent readiness needs. This includes increasing the proportion of the defense budget in relation to GDP, which currently stands at 2.45%.

Taiwan also seeks to strengthen its ties with the United States and other allies through deeper military cooperation and expanded multilateral exchanges. This collaboration aims to jointly uphold regional peace and stability in the face of China's growing military presence near Taiwan.

China is expected to announce its annual defense budget on Wednesday, further fueling concerns about its intentions towards Taiwan. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese government condemned China's recent military exercises near the island's southwest coast.

In addition to acquiring new equipment, Taiwan's military seeks funding to improve personnel retention through higher pay. The government also plans to extend compulsory national service from four months to one year.

The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, has urged the island to increase its defense spending to 10% of GDP, a significantly higher proportion than what the U.S. or its major allies spend.

China's actions have also caused unease among neighboring countries in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. Australia and New Zealand expressed concerns about China's recent live-fire exercises in the seas between the two countries, which forced flights to divert on short notice.