Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te used his National Day address to defend higher military spending as a way to deter war and preserve dialogue on equal terms. He said Taiwan valued peace but would not accept subordination. The proposed defence budget would exceed three per cent of the economy, as Taipei reports continued Chinese aircraft and ship activity around the island.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te defended higher military spending in his October 10 National Day address outside the Presidential Office in Taipei. He said the increase was intended to deter war and enable dialogue on the basis of parity and dignity. Taiwan valued peace and remained open to exchanges, he said, while refusing subordination and surrender of its freedom.[1], [2]
The government plans defence expenditure of 1.1 trillion Taiwan dollars for 2027, exceeding 3 per cent of gross domestic product. Lai described China’s military pressure and grey zone activities as attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. Grey zone actions exert pressure short of open warfare. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has not renounced force; Taipei rejects that claim.[1]
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry reported 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven vessels around the island over the preceding 24 hours. It said 13 aircraft crossed the strait’s median line. Lai welcomed dialogue between the United States and China while calling for Taiwan’s rights to be protected. National Day commemorates the 1911 uprising associated with the founding of the Republic of China; the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan in 1949.[1]
