TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) warned Taiwan's parliament on Friday (Aug. 15) that high-ranking military officers face legal consequences for unauthorized visits to China. Koo told the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, that major generals and above require special permission under cross-strait relations law before traveling to the mainland. The minister specifically cautioned against attending Beijing's military parade at Tiananmen Square without proper authorization.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) recently prohibited all central and local government officials from attending September's Chinese Communist Party parade. The cross-strait affairs agency warned that violators would face legal penalties under existing regulations. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) simultaneously delivered anti-fraud strategy reports to Taiwan's parliament, where cabinet officials fielded extensive questioning from legislators.
Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) clarified Thursday that Taiwan's U.S. arms purchases through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channels remain excluded from bilateral trade statistics. Chen advocated for including FMS transactions in official trade calculations, acknowledging that commercial military sales represent a relatively small portion. The clarification addressed ongoing discussions about accurately reflecting Taiwan's defense procurement in economic data.
Defense Minister Koo confirmed that Foreign Military Sales constitute the majority of Taiwan's military procurement, with commercial purchases representing minimal percentages. Government discussions reflect Taiwan's strategic emphasis on defense capabilities and international partnerships amid regional security challenges. The island's leadership continues prioritizing military resource acquisition while enforcing stringent regulatory controls over cross-strait interactions. ◼
