Taiwan documented incursions by around 970 Chinese warplanes into its surroundings defence zone within 2021, more than double the roughly 380 in 2020.
The determine this year has already surpassed 980, with more than 360 incursions recorded within August alone.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday how the budget gave complete consideration to the “enemy threat”.
“In the face of the Chinese communists’ continuous enlargement of targeted military activities in recent years and the normalised use of warships and military airplane to raid plus disturb Taiwan’s around seas and airspace, the military adheres to the principle of preparing for war without seeking war and defending national safety with strength, ” it added.
Assoc Prof Chong said that Taiwan’s ramped-up defence spending would send a signal to the US, adjoining Japan and other countries.
“That Taiwan is definitely taking its own defence seriously and is prepared to hold off any equipped aggression from the PRC as best it can. This particular move intends to reinforce the view that Taiwan is a dependable partner, ” he or she said.
“Taipei is also signalling to Beijing that any kind of use of force could be potentially costly, even when it is able to win eventually. ”
Dr Ho stated that the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain a key flashpoint in Asia and would be watched simply by most governments in the area.
Each Taiwan and China’s recent moves to broaden their militaries “demonstrates that certainly there is cause for concern”, he told CNA938 in an interview.
In March, China said it would spend 7 per cent more on defence this year, setting the spending amount at US$211. 62 billion.
“Ultimately military capabilities are a function of danger assessment, so it’s really about how these intentions are being interpreted by policymakers that will determine how these capabilities will be put to use or not used, ” said Doctor Ho.