BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Taipei on Saturday in support of President Lai Ching-te’s push to significantly increase Taiwan’s defence spending, highlighting growing public concern over military tensions with China and deepening political divisions inside Taiwan’s parliament.
The rally came after opposition lawmakers approved only part of the government’s proposed $40 billion supplementary defence package, dealing a setback to Lai’s efforts to strengthen the island’s military capabilities amid mounting pressure from Beijing.
Lai’s administration had requested the full funding package to expand Taiwan’s deterrence capacity through purchases of advanced American weapons systems as well as investment in domestically produced military technology, including drones and air defence systems.
However, opposition parties, which currently control the largest bloc in parliament, passed a revised version of the package earlier this month that approved only around two-thirds of the requested funding and limited spending largely to U.S.-supplied weapons.
Opposition lawmakers argued that parts of the government’s broader defence proposals lacked sufficient transparency and oversight, raising concerns about possible waste or corruption in military procurement projects.
The dispute has become one of the most politically sensitive debates in Taiwan as the self-governing island faces increasing military and diplomatic pressure from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force to achieve unification.
Saturday’s protest was organized by a coalition of pro-independence groups, human rights organizations and civic activists who say Taiwan must urgently strengthen its military preparedness in response to China’s expanding military presence around the island.
Demonstrators waved Taiwanese flags, held banners supporting higher defence spending and chanted slogans calling for stronger national security policies.
Among the speakers was Wang Hsing-huan, leader of the small pro-independence Taiwan Statebuilding Party, which does not currently hold seats in parliament.
Addressing the crowd, Wang argued that peace could only be preserved through military preparedness and warned that Taiwan’s democratic freedoms depended on maintaining strong national defence capabilities.
Participants at the rally said they believed Taiwan could no longer afford delays in strengthening its armed forces given the increasingly tense regional security environment.
Angela Yen, a 34-year-old civil engineer attending the protest, said Taiwan needed to defend itself against what she described as Chinese expansionism and insisted Taiwan and China were separate countries.
The government is continuing efforts to secure approval for the remaining portions of the defence package, including funding for a new integrated air defence network known as the “T-Dome” system, which officials say is designed to improve Taiwan’s ability to detect and intercept aerial threats.
Taiwan has accelerated military modernization efforts in recent years as China dramatically expanded military drills and air and naval operations near the island.
Beijing regularly sends fighter jets, warships and military aircraft into areas surrounding Taiwan, actions Taipei describes as intimidation designed to wear down Taiwan’s defences and pressure its government politically.
The United States remains Taiwan’s most important international security partner and principal supplier of advanced weapons systems, despite lacking formal diplomatic relations with the island.
Taiwanese officials have argued that strengthening both imported and locally developed defence systems is critical to building a more resilient military capable of deterring potential Chinese military action.
Still, Taiwan’s opposition parties insist they are not opposed to defence spending itself but want stricter oversight of how taxpayer money is used.
Both of Taiwan’s major opposition parties have repeatedly stated that they support maintaining strong national security while rejecting what they describe as unchecked government spending.
Speaking earlier Saturday in southern Taiwan, Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the opposition Kuomintang, said no one wanted to see war break out between Taiwan and China.
She argued Taiwan should avoid reckless spending and focus instead on maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Cheng also said Taiwan should invest more in peace-building efforts rather than policies that could lead younger generations into military conflict.
Her remarks drew additional attention because she recently traveled to Beijing, where she met Chinese President Xi Jinping, a visit that sparked criticism from some Taiwanese politicians who accused opposition leaders of being too accommodating toward Beijing.
The disagreement over defence spending reflects broader political tensions inside Taiwan over how to manage relations with China while protecting the island’s democracy and security.
Lai’s administration has adopted a firmer stance toward Beijing and emphasized strengthening ties with democratic allies, particularly the United States and regional partners concerned about China’s growing military influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, opposition parties continue advocating for more cautious engagement with Beijing, arguing that reducing tensions and maintaining dialogue are essential for preventing conflict.
With military pressure from China continuing to intensify and political divisions widening at home, Taiwan’s debate over defence spending is expected to remain at the center of the island’s political landscape in the months ahead.