TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) urged Taiwan's Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's legislature, to swiftly pass the special defense procurement bill during a press conference at the Presidential Office on Wednesday (Feb. 11). He emphasized the importance of the special defense budget in strengthening Taiwan's military capabilities and ensuring the nation's security and stability.
President Lai highlighted the government's proposed eight-year special defense budget, totaling NT$1.25 trillion (approximately US$39.8 billion). This initiative aims to enhance Taiwan's modern and asymmetric warfare capabilities, a crucial step in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which international consensus recognizes as vital for global security and prosperity.
Expressing gratitude for U.S. support, President Lai warned that delaying the budget's approval could jeopardize Taiwan's priority status in international arms supplies and delay key weapon deliveries. He stressed that such delays might prompt the international community to question Taiwan's resolve to defend itself.
Addressing public criticism, President Lai dismissed claims that the defense budget faced obstacles due to the government's failure to allocate a NT$30,000 (approximately US$954.7) monthly pay raise for military personnel, calling this a "wrong connection". He asserted that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) government supports the military more than the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) administration did.
Minister Koo detailed 27 adjustments to military allowances from 2017 to 2025, including pay raises for civil servants and military personnel. These adjustments reflect a cumulative increase of 14%, addressing various service needs and specialties.
President Lai reiterated that increasing defense spending aligns with democratic allies' trends and urged the Legislative Yuan to promptly review and pass the special defense budget ordinance after the Lunar New Year. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Defense Minister Koo, and Chief of the General Staff Mei Chia-shu (梅家樹) attended the press conference, underscoring the government's commitment to defense issues. (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.42)
