DPP pushes Taiwan region defense budget past $35b to record high, squeezing livelihoods
2026-08-24 10:47:44 source：CGTN
August 23, 2026
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are pushing the Taiwan region's defense budget to a record high of NT$1.1225 trillion ($35.2 billion) in 2027, surpassing NT$1 trillion for the first time and accounting for 3.93% of GDP, according to media reports on the island.
Lai Ching-te has previously pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030, raising concerns that ever-growing military expenditure will further squeeze resources for people's livelihoods and economic development.
The region's defense spending has climbed rapidly in recent years, surging from NT$513.1 billion in 2022 to NT$949.5 billion in 2026. Out of the proposed NT$3.9 trillion total budget for 2027, defense accounts for nearly 29%.
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