Emboldened by Western support, Taiwan announces record military budget
Emboldened by expressions of support by the United States and other Western countries, Chinese Taipei has announced a record military budget, in what would further raise tensions with Beijing.
Taipei on Thursday unveiled a military budget of $19.41 billion — nearly 15 percent of total government expenditure — for 2023, proposed by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen’s cabinet.
The proposed budget needs approval by the island’s parliament.
According to Taiwan’s Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the total budget includes funding for new fighter jets and other equipment to enhance naval and air capabilities.
“To protect national security, the overall defense budget for next year will reach Tw$586.3 billion to a record high,” a cabinet spokesman quoted Taiwanese prime minister Su Tseng-chang as saying.
The ambitious budget marks a sharp rise compared with increases of about 4-5 percent in recent years.
Tsai said the island would not change under “pressure or threats” from China. “At the same time, as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will not provoke incidents nor escalate conflicts,” she said.
China has sovereignty over Taipei, and under the internationally-recognized “one-China” policy, nearly all countries recognize that sovereignty, meaning that they would not establish diplomatic contact with its secessionist government.
The US, too, professes adherence to the principle, but in violation of its own stated policy and in an attempt to irritate Beijing, Washington courts the secessionist government in Taipei, supports its anti-China stance, and supplies it with massive amounts of armaments.
Earlier this month, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stirred controversy when she made a trip to Taipei and met with its president in what had been meant to be an affront to Beijing. China reacted by asserting its sovereignty and holding military drills around Chinese Taipei for several days.
Shortly afterwards, a group of Canadian lawmakers said they were planning a visit of their own to the self-ruled island, drawing warnings by Beijing against provocation.
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