Taiwan Proposes Big Jump in Military Spending Amid Chinese Pressure

TAIPEI — Taiwan has unveiled plans to increase military spending by the largest margin in 15 years in response to escalating tensions with China amid deteriorating ties between Beijing and Washington.

On Thursday, Taiwan’s cabinet proposed a record-breaking baseline military budget of $13.7 billion for next year. That would represent a nearly 13% increase over this year’s defense budget — the largest year-on-year increase since at least 2007.