Lawrence Chung
12 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
🔮 Move would mark a key upgrade in military ties but sparks domestic concern over budget growth and loss of strategic autonomy
According to Taiwanese media reports at the weekend, the Pentagon plans to send one official from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy and one expert from the Institute for Defence Analyses (IDA) to work on a long-term basis at the defence ministry’s headquarters in Taipei.
🔮 Taipei’s dilemma over history deepens with Xi-Trump praise of WWII Flying Tigers
Taiwan’s ruling party uneasy that what could have been a valuable historical connection with the US has ended up benefiting Beijing’s ties
Trump described China and the US as World War II allies and praised the Flying Tigers – a unit of American military personnel who helped defend mainland China against Japanese air attacks – while Xi recalled the two countries fighting “side by side” against Japanese militarism.
🔮 The programme is expected to cost NT$27.59 billion, with NT$7.3 billion allocated this year through a supplementary budget.
🔮 Two years ago, 49 per cent believed the US would send troops to help defend Taiwan, compared with 42 per cent who thought it would not.
🔮 How will Beijing receive most senior Taiwan official to attend Apec events this year?
🔮 Taiwanese defence minister says exchanges with the US are ‘even more extensive than you might imagine’
🔮 Taiwan’s opposition parties split over mayoral race, threatening 2028 election alliance
🔮 Extra funds push Taiwan’s defence spending past NT$1 trillion for the first time
The island’s cabinet approves supplementary budget, with heavy investment in missiles, drones and classified programmes
Taiwan’s cabinet approved a supplementary defence budget of NT$145.7 billion (US$4.6 billion) on Thursday, pushing the island’s total defence-related spending for this year above NT$1 trillion for the first time.
The additional funding is expected to raise this year’s overall defence spending from 3.32 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to about 3.83 per cent, the highest level in decades.
Also by Lawrence Chung
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The Aporia
