Taiwan president to say boosting its defences is not 'provocation'

TAIPEI, Oct 9: Taiwan President Lai Ching-tewill say in his national day speech that boosting defences and spending more on the military is not a "provocation" but a reflection of the Taiwanese people's hope to maintain peace and freedom, an official said.

Democratically governed Taiwan has faced increased military and political pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei.

Taiwan is increasing defencespending andmodernising its armed forces, but faces a China with a far larger military and is adding advanced new weapons such as stealth fighter jets and aircraft carriers. In Saturday's speech, Lai will explain how Taiwan is strengthening its self-defence, keeping up investment in national defence, and stregthening whole-of-society resilience, according to a senior Taiwan official briefed on the content.�" REUTERS