TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) vowed Tuesday (Nov. 25) to boost Taiwan's defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030. Lai made the pledge in a Washington Post op-ed, committing to 3.3% by 2026. The announcement comes as China intensifies military pressure on the self-governed island.
President Lai also announced a historic US$40 billion (around NT$1.25 trillion) special defense budget for next year. The milestone budget will procure advanced armaments from the U.S. and enhance Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities against potential threats. President Lai stated that no country will defend Taiwan's future more firmly than Taiwan itself, emphasizing the nation's unwavering dedication to self-defense.
President Lai highlighted the longstanding peace in the Taiwan Strait, maintained through the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, six foreign policy principles governing U.S.-Taiwan relations. He noted the growing military expansion of the People's Republic of China, China, citing frequent military exercises around Taiwan and naval operations. China has increased provocations in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, South China Sea, and the broader Indo-Pacific region, threatening regional stability.
President Lai pointed out Beijing's increasingly apparent intentions to alter the status quo, exposing regional vulnerabilities. He expressed gratitude to former U.S. President Trump for emphasizing peace through strength and acknowledged America's global leadership as a cornerstone of stability. Taiwan will accelerate development of its recently announced T-Dome defense system, integrating a multi-layered air defense network to counter missile, rocket, drone, and fighter jet attacks from China, the People's Republic of China.