Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Taiwan Leader Says Defence Spending Aims to Deter War
Taiwan’s leader, Lai Ching-te, says his government is spending more on defence.
He says the goal is to discourage a war, not to start one.
Taiwan says China is putting pressure on the island with military activity.
Lai also said Taiwan does not want to dominate others.
Taiwan has set aside a record amount for defence in 2027.
It is also waiting for the United States to approve a weapons sale.
Opposition leader Han Kuo-yu said US support matters for Taiwan’s security.
He also said most people in Taiwan want peace and peaceful ties with China.
President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan is increasing defence investment to deter war, not provoke it.
Taiwan has earmarked a record NT$1.1 trillion, or US$34.5 billion, for defence spending in 2027—more than 3% of GDP.
Lai said China is using military and “grey-zone” pressure in an attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan is awaiting US approval of a $14 billion weapons package that includes Patriot air defence systems.
Opposition leader Han Kuo-yu said US support is important to Taiwan’s security and that most people want peace and peaceful exchanges with China.
- Who
- Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and opposition leader Han Kuo-yu spoke at Taiwan’s National Day event.
- What
- Lai defended increased defence spending as a way to deter war, while Han stressed US security support and peaceful exchanges with China.
- When
- Saturday, during Taiwan’s National Day celebrations.
- Where
- Taipei, Taiwan.
- Why
- Lai cited China’s military and grey-zone pressure and said Taiwan’s defence investment is intended to deter war.
Deterrence through defence
Peaceful ties and security support
Purpose of defence spending
Deterrence through defence
Lai said increased national defence investment is intended to deter war, not provoke it, in response to China’s pressure.
Peaceful ties and security support
Han emphasized that most Taiwanese do not want war and hope to live peacefully and maintain peaceful exchanges across the strait.
Relations with China
Deterrence through defence
Lai said peace cannot rest on wishes alone and Taiwan’s right to exist must be respected.
Peaceful ties and security support
Han noted Taiwan’s historical and cultural links with China and called for peaceful cross-strait exchanges.
Role of the United States
Deterrence through defence
Taiwan’s government is pursuing defence investment and awaiting approval for a major US weapons package.
Peaceful ties and security support
Han said US support is extremely important to Taiwan’s security.
- Proposed 2027 defence spending
- NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion), a record amount
- Share of GDP
- More than 3%
- Pending US weapons
- Taiwan is awaiting the US president’s signature on a $14 billion weapons package
- Weapons named
- The package includes the US-made Patriot air defence system
- National Day anniversary
- The celebrations mark the 115th anniversary of the toppling of China’s Qing dynasty and the subsequent founding of the Republic of China
- Taiwan’s population
- The article states that Taiwan has 23 million people