Defense Budget

Taiwan announced a nearly $40 billion supplementary defense package on Wednesday, as President Lai Ching-te said the island must reinforce its ability to protect itself against intensifying military pressure from China.

The spending plan marks one of Taiwan’s largest single-year boosts and comes as Beijing continues to send aircraft and warships near the island, which it claims as its own. Taipei rejects those claims, insisting it will decide its future independently.

President Lai said the expanded budget was designed to show Taiwan’s resolve as it faces what he called an increasingly perilous security landscape. China has escalated political and military …