Taiwan president says defence spending boost aims to ‘deter war’

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te declared on Saturday that the island’s expanding military budget is intended to prevent conflict rather than provoke one, emphasizing that the self-governed democracy values peace while refusing to surrender its liberty.

Speaking to a crowd gathered outside the Presidential Office in Taipei during National Day commemorations, Lai stated that Taiwan welcomes dialogue but will never accept being subordinated to external control. He asserted that peace cannot be sustained through hope alone, cautioning that restraint must not be viewed as permission for aggressors to encroach on the island.

The remarks come as Taipei allocates a historic 1.1 trillion New Taiwan dollars, or roughly $34.5 billion, toward its 2027 defense budget. The figure represents over 3 percent of the island's gross domestic product. Lai noted that the boost in resources is designed strictly as a deterrent against rising coercion from Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory, has refused to rule out military action to seize control, and routinely labels Lai a separatist. The Taiwanese president accused Beijing of consistently employing military maneuvers and grey-zone operations—actions designed to strain defenses without escalating into full-scale war—to alter the regional status quo.

According to Taiwan’s defense ministry, Chinese military pressure continued ahead of the address. In the 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning, authorities detected 21 Chinese military planes and seven naval vessels operating nearby. Thirteen of the aircraft breached the median line dividing the Taiwan Strait and traversed Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.

Lai highlighted that Taiwan’s determination to resist authoritarian expansion carries wider global significance, testing whether international norms can withstand the threat of raw power. He also voiced support for ongoing discussions between Washington and Beijing, while stressing that any diplomatic engagements must honor the existence and rights of the Taiwanese population.

Ceremonies in the capital featured military flyovers by fighter jets and helicopters carrying large flags, marking the 115th anniversary of the 1911 revolution that led to the establishment of the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name. Foreign dignitaries attended the celebrations, including King Mswati III of Eswatini—the island's lone remaining African ally—alongside visiting Japanese lawmakers and Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith.

Although Washington shifted formal diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing decades ago, the United States remains Taiwan’s key security partner. Following an $11 billion arms sale finalized previously, Taiwan is currently awaiting approval from U.S. President Donald Trump for an additional $14 billion weapons package that incorporates Patriot air defense systems.