Taiwan is widening its extra combat pay to cover support troops, good news for tens of thousands of soldiers who back up front-line units.

• President Lai Ching-te announced a new third tier of combat unit pay, backdated to July 1.
• Soldiers in units below brigade level who keep the fight supplied get an extra NT$4,000 a month.
• The defense ministry says it covers battlefield medics, ammunition and fuel handlers, military transport, engineers, chemical units and psychological warfare troops.
• Military police and regional defense units guarding key political, economic and infrastructure sites are also included.
• Battalion and brigade headquarters above companies already on the first two tiers get the new pay too.

Outlook: The bigger allowance is part of Taiwan's push to keep and recruit troops as it builds up defenses against China.