TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) criticized opposition parties Wednesday (Dec. 10) for blocking a critical defense budget in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan (立法院) amid growing threats from the People's Republic of China (China). Lai urged the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), the main opposition party, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) to allow the budget review to proceed. He emphasized the necessity to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities against external threats.
The KMT and TPP blocked the special act on procurement for enhancing defense, resilience, and asymmetric capabilities on Dec. 9, involving an eight-year, NT$1.25 trillion (around US$40.2 billion) defense budget. Lai noted regional countries have already strengthened their defenses and engaged in cooperation, stressing Taiwan's responsibility to maintain regional stability. He argued the defense budget should enter committee review to ensure transparency and public understanding.
KMT spokesperson Chiang Yi-chen (江怡臻) responded the budget prioritizes military spending over the economy, accusing the government of using the budget to distract from its high costs. Lai called for unity against external threats, acknowledging internal competition in a democratic society like Taiwan. He urged the opposition to face the defense budget rationally and pragmatically.
Lai warned that failing to fulfill defense responsibilities would make countering China's threats more challenging for Taiwan. The outcome of the defense budget deliberations will significantly impact Taiwan's security and regional stability. Taiwan aims to increase the defense budget to 3.32% of Taiwan's GDP next year, approximately NT$949.5 billion (around US$30.5 billion).
