DISINFO: The US is forcing Taiwan to increase military spending
SUMMARY
Taiwan's local administration embarks on a military build-up incited by US hawks. The US is forcing the island to step up its military spending, citing an alleged “threat" of China's "invasion."
RESPONSE
Taiwan’s increase in military expenditure and preparations is not due to US actions or any pressure. The purpose of this disinformation narrative is to promote anti-US sentiments.
The Chinese government has been increasingly aggressive in its public stance towards Taiwan, including a rising number of violations of the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), intimidating military drills, new legislation imposing death penalties on ‘die-hard Taiwanese separatists’, and economic coercion. Reportedly, Xi Jinping has ordered China’s Popular Liberation Army (PLA) to be ready for military action - to invade - Taiwan in 2027. In response, the Taiwanese authorities have been increasing the military budget of the island (slightly in 2023 and more significantly in 2024) along with other defensive measures, such as practicing military readiness and promoting TV shows to increase awareness.
These measures were part of the electoral programme of recently elected Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te, who obtained around 40% of the votes in the January 2024 election. Recent public opinion surveys show that a majority of Taiwanese citizens consider this expenditure adequate.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that the US created Japan’s crisis sacrificing primer minister Kishida as a scapegoat, that the results of Taiwan election were a victory for the Western empire, that the US army confessed it used Ukraine to trap Russia and is preparing a Taiwan trap for China, or that the US plans to attack China after its anti-Russian blitzkrieg in Ukraine.