DEFENSE/Lawmakers back defense budget hike in meeting with U.S. senators

Taipei, Aug. 30 (CNA) Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in voicing support for raising Taiwan's defense budget to over 3 percent of GDP next year, while meeting with visiting U.S. senators Saturday.

Han, from the opposition Kuomintang, along with lawmakers from his party, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, and the Taiwan People's Party, told Senators Roger Wicker and Deb Fischer that bipartisan consensus has formed to strengthen Taiwan's defense capacity.

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Wicker, chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, and Fischer, also a committee member, arrived in Taiwan on Friday for a two-day visit that included a meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

The visit follows a Cabinet proposal to raise Taiwan's 2026 defense budget above 3 percent of GDP, pending legislative approval.

The president has pledged to raise the budget to 5 percent of GDP by 2030, aligning with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards, a goal echoed by Han and lawmakers during Saturday's meeting.

Han said that the meeting, also attended by American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene, highlighted cross-party support for Taiwan's defense initiatives and the U.S.-Taiwan partnership.

Han stressed that Taiwan is at a critical moment and must fully understand the logic of the Chinese Communist Party to respond prudently to challenges.

Han added that Taiwan faces increased pressure from China after the Russia-Ukraine war and will seek greater international support. He emphasized that congressional diplomacy is increasingly important and called on like-minded allies, including the United States, to provide concrete backing.

At the meeting, lawmakers also discussed military exchanges, personnel training, weapons procurement, and conflict prevention.