Taiwan Spending $40B on Dome, Weapons  11/26 06:10

   

   TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Wednesday 
announced a special $40 billion budget for arms purchases, including to build a 
Taiwan Dome, an air defense system with high-level detection and interception 
capabilities, as the U.S. pressures the island to increase its defense spending.

   The budget will be allocated over eight years, from 2026 to 2033, and comes 
after Lai already pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of the island's GDP, 
as part of his strategy amid China's threats of invasion.

   "China's threats to Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region are escalating," Lai 
said Wednesday. "Recently, various types of military intrusions, maritime gray 
zones and disinformation campaigns have been occurring in Japan, the 
Philippines and around the Taiwan Strait, causing deep unease and distress to 
all parties in the region."

   "Taiwan, as the most important and most critical part of the first island 
chain, must demonstrate our determination and take on a greater responsibility 
in self-defense," he said, referring to the string of islands stretching from 
Japan's East China Sea islands through the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean.

   Currently, Taiwan has set an increase in its defense budget to 3.3% of its 
GDP for 2026, allocating $949.5 billion Taiwan dollars ($31.18 billion). U.S. 
President Donald Trump has demanded Taiwan raise its defense spending to as 
much as 10% of GDP, a proportion well above what the U.S. or any of its major 
allies spend.

   Taiwan, a self-ruled island, is claimed by China. In recent years, China has 
deployed warplanes, navy ships and drones toward the island on a daily basis in 
military exercises as part of its efforts to exert pressure.

   Lai had previewed the announcement in an op-ed for The Washington Post on 
Wednesday, saying the special budget would be used to purchase arms from the 
U.S. He told reporters Wednesday, however, that the budget has nothing to do 
with the government's tariff negotiations with the U.S.

   Wellington Koo, Taiwan's defense minister, said Wednesday the $40 billion is 
an upper limit for the special budget and that it will be used to buy 
precision-strike missiles and toward the joint development and procurement 
between Taiwan and the U.S. of equipment and systems.

   Lai also said his government would focus on finding ways to increase its 
defense against Beijing's "psychological warfare" as China attempts to "weaken 
our unity." He said the government will monitor and increase public awareness 
of China's interference attempts during major events and elections.

   Lai also commented on an escalating feud between China and Japan, which 
started after Japan's conservative leader said the country might get involved 
militarily if China makes a move against Taiwan. The remarks incensed Beijing. 
Lai said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi 's comments appeared to be 
focused largely on the stability of the region.

   "We hope China can understand that each country in the Indo-Pacific region 
has a responsibility to its peace and stability, and that we especially hope 
China, as a major power in the region, would also demonstrate the 
responsibilities of a major power," Lai said. "Instead, it has continued to 
raise threats and attacks toward neighboring countries. This is not the way a 
responsible major power acts."