TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – The defence spending of Taiwan is expected to grow 10.2% in 2021 compared to this year. This comes as the nation is ramping up investment in arms and ammunition amid tension with China.
The cabinet led by President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday proposed a budget of T$453.4 billion (11.81 billion pounds) in military spending for the year starting in January. On the other hand, this year the military spending was T$411.3 billion, said the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics.
Ever since Tsai was re-elected with a landslide victory in January, China has stepped up military activity around the island and it also flew fighter jets across the strait.
Tsai has given top priority to defence spending and modernising the armed forces.
China has slammed the sale of US arms to Taiwan and has never given up its policy of using force to gain control over Taiwan. The US is bound by an agreement to give Taiwan the means to protect its sovereignty.
Taiwan is holding discussions with the US to acquire sea mines to deter an amphibious landing apart from cruise missiles to defend its coast, said its envoy to Washington on Wednesday.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field