Taiwan to boost defense spending to over 3% of GDP

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced on Friday (Feb. 14) plans to prioritize a special budget to increase Taiwan's defense spending to over 3% of GDP.

This move aims to showcase Taiwan's commitment to self-defense amid growing concerns about China's influence and potential threats to national security.

Speaking at the Presidential Office, Lai highlighted the defense budget's growth of 80.47% under President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) from 2017 to 2024, compared to an average of 1.05% during the Ma administration from 2009 to 2016.

He pointed out that Taiwan currently allocates about 2.5% of its GDP to defense, with the new target set at 3% through a special budget, underscoring the nation's defensive resolve.

Lai emphasized the need for legal reforms to counter China's infiltration and cognitive warfare threats, proposing enhancements to the national security framework. He pledged to advance an "economy rooted in Taiwan, deployed globally" strategy, which includes strengthening high-tech protections and collaborating with allied nations to build a global democratic supply chain.

The Taiwanese president called for bipartisan support, stating that defense and diplomacy are paramount, with national security as the primary consideration.

International allies have expressed concern over the opposition's defense budget cuts, questioning Taiwan's commitment to self-defense.

Lai urged unity in the face of rapidly changing international dynamics, aiming for stable national development and continuous operation of the global democratic supply chain.