Mainland criticizes Taiwan authorities over 'defense' spending increase

A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized the Lai Ching-te authorities in Taiwan for increasing "defense" spending, saying the move would harm the interests of Taiwan residents and push the island into a more dangerous situation.

Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular news conference that the Lai authorities have adhered to a separatist "Taiwan independence" position and sought to pursue "independence" through military means and reliance on external forces. She criticized the authorities for increasingly squandering the hard-earned money of Taiwan residents.

At an event in Kaohsiung on Sept 23, Lai said the authorities would allocate more than NT$1.3 trillion ($40.8 billion) in "defense" spending next year for military procurement, international cooperation and indigenous "defense" development. He said the focus would be on strengthening industries such as drones and robotics to further enhance the island's "defense capabilities".

In response, Zhang said the large-scale investment in "defense" would not only reduce resources available for livelihoods and social welfare on the island and harm the immediate interests of Taiwan residents, but also push Taiwan toward a more dangerous situation.

She accused the Lai authorities of dragging Taiwan residents into becoming "cannon fodder" for "Taiwan independence".

"Such actions that harm and undermine Taiwan and lead to self-destruction will face strong opposition," she said. "No matter how much budget Lai allocates or how many weapons he purchases, he cannot escape the inevitable failure of 'Taiwan independence'."