"Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te has announced a $40bn budget for defence spending over the next eight years, to get closer to the vision of an unassailable Taiwan, safeguarded by innovation and technology. Taiwan has been ramping up defence spending over the past decade, but United States President Donald Trump's administration has pushed the self-ruled island to further increase its defence spending as a means to deter a potential Chinese attempt to regain control over the territory."
"Lai said on Wednesday that the military aimed to have a high level of joint combat readiness against China by 2027 which US officials have previously cited as a possible timeline for a Chinese military operation on the island. The ultimate goal is to establish defence capabilities that can permanently safeguard democratic Taiwan, Lai said at a news conference in Taipei after announcing the $40bn spending plan in an opinion piece in The Washington Post newspaper."
Taiwan's government plans a $40 billion defence budget over eight years to strengthen deterrence through innovation, technology and asymmetrical warfare. Annual spending targets exceed 3 percent of GDP next year and 5 percent by 2030, with a goal of high joint combat readiness against China by 2027. The funds will support new arms purchases from the United States and enhanced domestic capabilities. The initiative responds to Chinese territorial claims and international pressure to increase defence amid regional diplomatic tensions. The plan emphasizes demonstrating determination to defend Taiwan and is presented as separate from ongoing tariff negotiations with the US.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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