TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Civic groups have expressed support for the Lai administration's enhanced defense budget and the proposal for a T-Dome missile defense system.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced a NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) defense budget this week and laid out plans for the T-Dome, similar to Israel’s Iron Dome. 

On Friday, Taiwan Society North and the Peng Min-min Foundation held a press conference and declared that such measures are necessary for Taiwan to maintain its sovereignty and resist threats from Beijing, reported CNA.

The groups said that as long as Taiwanese are united, Taiwan will never belong to China. As part of Lai’s plan to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy, the T-Dome missile shield is a practical deterrent for China’s threats of military force, they said.

Taiwan Society North President Leo Chun-hsuan (羅浚晅) urged the government to step up measures against Beijing’s attempts to erode Taiwan’s sovereignty. He said those collaborating with hostile foreign forces should be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.

Peng Ming Min Foundation President Yang-Huang Mei-hsin (楊黃美幸) said China’s aims are clear, as can be evidenced in places like Hong Kong and Tibet. She said increased defense spending is critical to maintain Taiwan’s national sovereignty.

In a separate statement made earlier this week, Taiwan Society North said that if China attempts to change the status quo by force, Taiwan, Japan, and the US will be forced to respond. The statement also called for deepening cooperation and information sharing between Japan and Taiwan.