Taiwan's legislature has officially passed a $25 billion defense spending bill aimed at bolstering the island's military capabilities amid escalating tensions with China.
The vote, which took place on Friday, was confirmed by the parliamentary speaker and represents a compromise after extensive political negotiations.
This budget falls short of the Taiwanese government's proposal for nearly $40 billion but reflects a strategic shift towards enhancing defense against potential Chinese aggression.
The approval comes as Taiwan faces ongoing threats from China, which claims sovereignty over the island.
Political Dynamics in the Legislative Yuan
The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's primary opposition party advocating closer ties with China, and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have agreed to support the $25 billion allocation exclusively for U.S. arms.
Control of the Legislative Yuan is currently with the KMT and TPP, which together hold a majority of the 113 seats.
In the recent vote, only 107 lawmakers participated, with 59 voting in favor of the bill.
Details of the Defense Spending Plan
President Lai Ching-te's administration has proposed a defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion, which includes purchases of U.S. arms and domestically produced drones.
The allocated funds are set to be disbursed over eight years, supplementing the regular defense budget.
KMT's Internal Divisions and U.S. Relations
The KMT has faced internal strife, particularly over the party's stance towards China. Chairman Cheng Li-wun has been criticized for being overly lenient in relations with Beijing.
Despite this, party leaders have pushed for increased defense spending to meet U.S. expectations for military readiness.
The KMT was willing to fully support a second phase of arms sales worth more than $15 billion, including advanced missile systems.
Fu Kun-chi, KMT Caucus Leader
This vote comes just ahead of a major summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where military support to Taiwan is likely to be a contentious issue.