Following a meeting with Taiwan's top national security officials, President Lai Ching-te has promised to put out a special budget to raise the country's defense spending to over 3% of total GDP. He says he remains commited to working with China to maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait. Lai also reaffirmed his commitment to deepening U.S.-Taiwan military and economic cooperation.
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00:00President Lai Ching-de has vowed to put out a special budget to increase Taiwan's defense
00:05spending to over 3% of total GDP.
00:08First, to demonstrate the determination to protect the country, we will continue to promote
00:14national defense reform and implement a special budget that prioritizes border security and
00:18flexibility for the whole society, so that the national defense budget reaches the goal
00:24of more than 3% of GDP.
00:27Lai's comments came after he met with the country's top national security officials
00:31on Friday.
00:33He stressed his commitment to protecting Taiwan's democracy while also working with China to
00:38maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait.
00:41During his speech, Lai also reaffirmed U.S.-Taiwan relations, promising to deepen and broaden
00:47security and economic cooperation between the two countries.