Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-08-06

President Tsai Ing-wen says Taiwan is determined to strengthen its military self-

President Tsai Ing-wen (second right) visits the Navy Command in Taipei on Monday. (CNA photo)

sufficiency. She was speaking Monday at the Navy Command in Taipei.

Tsai said her administration has increased next year’s defense budget in order to meet the needs of national security and to underline the government’s determination to build its own military hardware.

“A military budget of NT$346 billion (more than US$11.3 billion) has been earmarked for 2019, up NT$18.3 billion (nearly US$600 million) from the previous year. The overall defense budget accounts for 2.16% of the GDP. In the meantime, I have also demanded that the military speed up the structuring of its defense capabilities,” said Tsai.     [FULL  STORY]