DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) says that Taiwan's military spending has increased by 70% under the DPP administration, a rare occurrence among democratic nations. Speaking at the Global Taiwan Institute in Washington on Tuesday, Lin emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense in response to calls for increased defense spending.
Former Trump administration official Elbridge Colby and Council on Foreign Relations researcher David Sacks have advocated for Taiwan to raise its defense spending to at least 5% of GDP. However, Lin says additional funds should be invested in advanced and high-quality weapons rather than just increasing the defense budget. He adds that effectiveness is more critical than simply increasing expenditure.
Lin says Taiwan's defense strategy focuses on enhancing asymmetric warfare capabilities, strengthening national resilience, and deterrence strategies. He says China’s intention to take Taiwan has not changed but that their means have changed over time. He says under President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), China is using all of its previous methods as well as trying to disrupt and infiltrate Taiwanese society through disinformation and lawfare, intimidation or hindrance through strategic use of legal proceedings.
Lin is currently representing the DPP on a 13-day visit to the U.S. on behalf of President Lai.
