The New York Times published the Overmatch Brief this Monday, warning that the United States is far behind China in its preparations for new types of warfare and that multiple Taiwan Strait war games have resulted in U.S. defeat.

At the Legislature this Thursday, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said the documents cited are classified, leaving the ministry unable to confirm their full contents, but stressed that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific is a core U.S. interest.

Koo added, “The U.S. also hopes to collaborate with countries in various regions, especially those in the first island chain, to achieve effective deterrence. Everyone needs to strengthen their defense capabilities. Taiwan, being at the forefront of the first island chain facing the threat from China, naturally needs to strengthen its self-defense capabilities even more. This is why we proposed a special budget.”

American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene previously affirmed that President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.9 billion) defense special budget is an important step in promoting peace through deterrence. Koo said the Defense Ministry’s position is consistent with Greene’s explanation. He said Taiwan will seek deterrence through strength, and peace through deterrence.