Taiwan President Pitches Record Defense Budget at 823 Battle Memorial
At the 68th commemoration of the 823 Artillery Battle, Taiwan's president urged public support for a record defense budget exceeding 3% of GDP.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te used the 68th commemoration of the 823 Artillery Battle on Sunday to rally public support for a record-high defense budget, framing it as essential to deter Chinese military threats and secure peace across the Taiwan Strait.
Speaking at a ceremony on the Kinmen archipelago, which was heavily bombarded by Chinese forces in the 1958 conflict, Lai highlighted plans to strengthen national defense capabilities, pursue self-sufficiency in defense production, and boost foreign arms purchases. He also emphasized building up AI and drone capabilities alongside civilian defense systems.
Lai announced that the proposed defense budget for the coming year, including annual and special allocations, would for the first time exceed one trillion Taiwan dollars (approximately $35 billion). This figure represents more than 3% of Taiwan's estimated GDP and marks an 18% increase over last year's spending.
The appeal comes amid intensified military and political pressure from China, which regularly sends military aircraft and vessels toward Taiwan and conducts large-scale exercises. Beijing has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.
Lai urged both ruling and opposition parties, as well as the general public, to recognize the legacy of the 823 Artillery Battle and support the defense budget and armed forces welfare. The proposal now faces review in the opposition-controlled legislature, where securing approval may prove challenging.