Taiwan to boost military spending to 'deter war' with China

Taiwan plans to boost defense spending to deter war, President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday, as China steps up military pressure to assert its claim over the self-governed island. Lai's government has allocated a record NT$1.1 trillion ($34.5 billion) for defense spending in 2027, equivalent to more than 3% of GDP. Taiwan's 23 million people face the threat of a Chinese attack. Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. "Our aim in increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke, but to deter war," President Lai Ching-te said in a speech marking Taiwan's National Day.