Los Angeles Times
Date: Dec 29, 2017
By: Ralph Jennings
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said Friday she would raise the defense budget and develop
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen speaks in front of a model of a Taiwan-made jet Dec. 29 at the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology in Taoyuan county. (Chiang Ying-ying / Associated Press)
more domestically manufactured weapons as its powerful political rival China steps up military test flights just offshore.
The island will increase defense spending with a focus on building military hardware such as a multifunctional drone, Tsai told a news conference at a defense research center near the capital, Taipei.
“Taiwan may not be big, but we are very determined to defend our country,” Tsai said.
“Here, I solemnly pledge that we will continue to increase our defense budget on a stable and reasonable basis each year.” [FULL STORY]