TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) highlighted the threats posed by China and Russia against the world’s democracies during a recent interview with Lithuanian online news company 15 Minutes. 

Russia and China have deepened their partnership since the start of the war in Ukraine, Hsiao said, according to the Presidential Office. China has been helping Russia to prolong the conflict, and the two countries appear to be sharing operational playbooks in psychological operations, cognitive warfare, and undermining democratic institutions. 

The vice president also highlighted the prevalence of Chinese and Russian fake news and disinformation on social media. She said that as a young democracy, Taiwan faces many challenges, especially due to China’s widespread disinformation campaign.

As a result, Taiwan has ramped up its defense spending by roughly 80% over the past eight years, Hsiao said. The country plans to have a defense budget of 5% of GDP by 2030, in line with NATO standards, she added. 

Taiwan is also extending conscription, improving training, and promoting broader societal resilience.

Commenting on the first arms sales to Taiwan under the second Trump administration, the vice president said the US is Taiwan’s most important security partner. She thanked the US for its continued defense assistance.

Hsiao said that as authoritarian states become increasingly aggressive, much work remains to be done to safeguard shared values and interests.