UPDATE 1-Taiwan parliament approves extra defence spending but less than government wanted

Taiwan's ​opposition-controlled parliament on Friday approved $25 ‌billion in ​extra defence spending, around two-thirds of the amount the government had asked for to bolster the ‌armed forces in the face of a rapidly modernising Chinese military. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te had wanted a T$1.25 trillion ($39.81 billion) supplementary defence package ‌approved, including money for U.S. arms but also for domestically made equipment ‌such as drones to increase deterrence against China, which views the island as its own territory. But the opposition, which has the most seats in parliament, passed its own ⁠version ​of the ⁠spending package worth T$780 billion ($24.86 billion), saying the government proposals were unclear and could lead ⁠to corruption.

Fu Kun-chi, parliamentary whip for the largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), told ​reporters the approved spending safeguarded Taiwan's security, and "watches over the hard-earned money ⁠of the people". There was no immediate comment from Taiwan's defence ministry.

In December, Washington announced ⁠an $11 ​billion arms sales package for Taiwan, the largest ever. A second package worth around $14 billion could be announced once U.S. President Donald Trump ⁠gets back from next week's trip to China, Reuters has previously reported. China ⁠has repeatedly ⁠demanded the U.S. ends arms sales to the island. Taiwan rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

($1 = 31.3970 Taiwan dollars)

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