Taiwan’s defense spending
Former US president Donald Trump’s national security adviser Robert O’Brien’s statement that Taiwan should significantly increase its defense spending in the face of potential Chinese aggression has sparked discussion.
Renowned Taiwanese economist Chieh Chung (揭仲), a researcher at the Taipei-based Association of Strategic Foresight, said that such a large percentage of defense spending (O’Brien suggested that Taiwan spend 5 percent of GDP on defense) is unreasonable during peacetime, and is likely to have a negative impact on the economic and social development of a democratic country.
Taiwan’s defense budget aims to improve the modernization of its military equipment, including the purchase of advanced fighter jets, missile systems, warships and drones to enhance air and sea defense capabilities, and to strengthen information warfare and cybersecurity capabilities to upgrade cyberprotection technology, establishing professional cybersecurity teams and promoting information warfare training.
Moreover, in addition to reforms to mandatory military service — which has been extended from four months to one year — the government has increased investment in military exercises and training to improve troops’ combat and emergency response capabilities.
It is also improving troop living conditions and welfare to improve morale and combat effectiveness.
Of course, the most important is that improvements to the nation’s logistical support capabilities and refining of the domestically built submarine program continue.
However, Trump publicly asked Taiwan to pay Washington more for “protection” during an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek.
He believes that Taiwan should share more of the defense costs, and would make this a condition for further US-Taiwan military cooperation, forcing Taipei to make more concessions on its defense budget to maintain cooperation with and support from the US. He has put the issue of Taiwan’s defense budget back on the table.
The call for the government to spend half of its budget on national defense has sparked debate in Taiwan.
In the face of external threats, Taiwan should focus on international cooperation and diplomatic means to ensure the nation’s defense, while also promoting sustainable economic and social development.
This is what is needed to truly realize national prosperity and public safety.
Wang Tien-yu
Taipei
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