TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Monday (Jan. 20) warned that the Legislative Yuan's (立法院) proposal to cut travel and media promotion budgets could hamper Taiwan's international promotion at Expo 2025 Osaka. The proposed budget cuts, amounting to 60%, are under scrutiny as the Legislative Yuan reviews the 2025 central government budget.
Cho emphasized at an Executive Yuan (行政院) press conference that the budget cuts could severely impact Taiwan's pandemic response capabilities. He cited the Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛福部) as an example, stating that Taiwan's epidemic prevention efforts could suffer without access to international data.
Cho highlighted the importance of international connections, noting the nation's soft power displayed at last year's Paris Olympics. He pointed to the support provided to Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) by Sports Administration (體育署) officials during her unfair treatment as evidence of the need for international ties. Cho also mentioned the Ministry of Agriculture's (農業部) success in combating African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, warning that cutting international travel budgets could hinder these efforts.
Cho urged opposition parties in the Legislative Yuan to listen to public opinion and reconsider the budget cuts to prevent policy setbacks. Through Facebook, he reiterated that the proposed cuts have stirred social unrest, expressing respect and gratitude for those who bravely defend their rights.
