World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
Taiwan plans record defence budget to deter conflict with China
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te says a major increase in defence spending is meant to deter war, not provoke China.
His government has set aside a record NT$1.1 trillion for defence in 2027, more than 3% of Taiwan’s economy.
Taiwan is a self-governed island that China claims as its territory and has not ruled out taking by force.
Beijing has also used military pressure around the Taiwan Strait, the waterway separating Taiwan and mainland China.
Lai says Taiwan wants peace but will not accept being subordinated, and he urged China to respect the Taiwanese people’s right to exist.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important security backer, although its official diplomatic ties are with Beijing.
Taiwan is awaiting US approval for a $14 billion weapons package, including Patriot air defence systems.
The sources do not give a date for that decision.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the island is increasing defence spending to deter war, not to provoke China.
Lai’s government has allocated a record NT$1.1 trillion, reported as US$34.5 billion, for defence in 2027, more than 3% of gross domestic product.
Speaking at Taiwan’s National Day event in Taipei, Lai said China was using military and grey-zone activities to try to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has not renounced the use of force to bring it under its control and has rejected Lai’s offers of talks.
Taiwan said 21 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships were operating around the island in the 24-hour period ending at 6am on Saturday.
- Who
- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te
- What
- Lai said Taiwan would raise defence spending to deter war.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Where
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Why
- Taiwan says the spending is intended to deter war and strengthen its defences amid pressure from China.
Taiwan
China
Taiwan’s status
Taiwan
Lai said there must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist and that Taiwan would not accept subordination.
China
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and calls Lai a separatist.
Use of force and military pressure
Taiwan
Lai said China was using military and grey-zone activities to alter the status quo, and said Taiwan’s defence investment aims to deter war.
China
China has not renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. The articles report that China did not immediately respond to Lai’s speech.
Talks
Taiwan
Lai said Taiwan welcomed talks between the United States and China and called for respect for Taiwan’s people.
China
Beijing has rejected Lai’s offers of talks.
Our aim in increasing investment in national defence is not to provoke, but to deter war
We are open to exchanges but will not accept subordination
Peace cannot rely solely on wishes, and tolerance cannot become a pretext for aggressors to encroach ever further
a routine speech is no justification for aggressive or coercive actions.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Planned defence budget
- NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion) for 2027
- Share of GDP
- More than 3%
- Chinese aircraft and ships reported around Taiwan
- 21 military aircraft and seven navy ships in the 24-hour period ending at 6am on October 10, 2026
- Aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait median line
- 13
- US weapons sales awaiting approval
- US$14 billion, including the Patriot air defence system
Sources
Related news
Middle East war and debt loom over IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok
Eight orangutans rescued from fires released into protected forest in Borneo
Two men die as festival floats overturn in Osaka Prefecture
South Korea says trust with US remains strong amid intelligence-sharing concerns
South Korean ambassador returns home amid dispute with Ukraine over POW transfer
South Korea tests its first domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle
Greens urge Australia to block possible US execution live stream
Ceiling collapse in Daegu injures 38 during kitchenware sales event
Australia says it will not buy Russian fuel after Trump’s diesel deal
Malaysia closes schools as haze prompts calls to investigate companies
Japan protests Russia’s bid to extradite ICC president and eight staff members
