TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary-General, warned on Wednesday (Dec. 25) that reductions in the nation's defense budget would severely impact its military readiness and maintenance capabilities.
Following the amendments to the "Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures" (財劃法), Wu highlighted that while countries in the first island chain, such as Japan and South Korea, have increased their defense budgets by 16% and 4.5%, respectively, Taiwan has opted to cut its budget.
Wu explained that the government plans to deduct over NT$370 billion from the total budget, with the Executive Yuan estimating an NT$80 billion reduction for the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部). This reduction marks a significant 28% decrease in defense spending. Wu expressed concern that this budget cut might lead to perceptions that Taiwan lacks the resolve for self-defense, potentially discouraging support from like-minded nations.
He urged for more thorough discussions on the defense budget to prevent misinformation from affecting international cooperation. As Taiwan navigates these fiscal challenges, the need for strategic dialogue remains crucial in maintaining strong international alliances and ensuring national security.
