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Taiwan's Big Military Budget Aimsto Resist China, Buy US F-16 Fighter Jets

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI - Taiwan intends to raise its military budget more than usual
   next year following an increase in perceived threats from its old rival
   China, which has the world's third largest armed forces, and a nod from
   the United States to sell a major new round of F-16 fighter jets.

   The military budget will reach $13.1 billion next year, a historic high
   and 2.3% of the GDP-- a slight increase over this year-- according to
   the central government budget passed on Thursday. The budget, subject
   to parliamentary approval, includes a 5.2% hike for national defense,
   Taiwan's government-backed Central News Agency says.

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