Beijing attacks Taiwan’s planned record defence budget
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Taiwan has said its next-year defence budget is expected to top NT$1 trillion for the first time, setting up a fresh round of cross-strait political sparring. In Beijing on Wednesday, the Taiwan Affairs Office used the announcement to attack the Lai Ching-te administration and reiterate the mainland’s opposition to any form of Taiwan independence.
Key Points
- Taiwan said its defence budget for next year is expected to exceed NT$1 trillion for the first time, equivalent to about HK$260 billion.
- Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te said defence resources must be turned into credible combat capability and should not let the mainland misjudge Taiwan’s self-defence resolve.
- In Beijing on Wednesday, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han said Lai’s administration was wasting public money and trying to resist unification and seek independence by force.
- Zhang said the mainland’s determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity was unwavering, and it would leave no room for separatist Taiwan independence activities.
- Zhang also criticised Taiwan’s recently passed drone industry development plan, saying the Democratic Progressive Party authorities were trying to militarise civilian industry for separatist purposes.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the exchange points to continued tension across the Taiwan Strait at a time when military spending, deterrence and political messaging are becoming more explicit on both sides. It also shows how Beijing is linking Taiwan’s budget, industrial policy and agricultural trade issues into a broader political narrative.