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The Executive Yuan’s version of a NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget is expected to finally be referred to a committee this Friday. The KMT also plans to submit a version of its own, which totals at NT$350 billion with an unspecified additional amount. It also includes punitive clauses. Premier Cho Jung-tai has criticized the KMT’s version of the budget, saying that there shouldn’t be any cutting corners when it comes to national security. The issue was brought up in the US by Jason Hsu, a former KMT lawmaker who is now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank. Let’s hear what he said during a congressional hearing on the matter.
Jason Hsu
Hudson Institute Senior Fellow
Taiwan’s legislature must pass the urgent defense budget. Taiwan’s national security cannot be a partisan issue. Taiwan’s political parties, both ruling and opposition, must stand in unity when facing national security threats. Only by strengthening our own resilience, demonstrating resolve, and backing commitments with action can we ask the world to stand with us.
Chuang Jui-hsiung
Lawmaker (DPP)
The KMT has one version totaling NT$300 billion, another one totaling NT$800 billion, and now they have yet another new version. I think they are finally feeling the pressure from Taiwanese society. The KMT’s consistent scorched earth tactics, boycotts and delays will have a considerable negative impact on our arms purchases.
Cho Jung-tai
Premier
We shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to national security. We shouldn’t haggle and call out prices willy-nilly. And the bill should not include punitive clauses. Is the punishment meant to take a hit on our national security? Or is it to punish the people of Taiwan? They have to be clear on this.
A high-ranking member within the KMT revealed that the party is leaning more toward the version totaling NT$350 billion plus a separate undefined amount. The NT$350 billion figure is derived from the eight arms sales for Taiwan that the US announced last year, which total US$11.1 billion. The extra undefined amount is meant to account for a “massive” arms package that is currently in the works, according to foreign media reports. The sale would reportedly total a whopping US$20 billion and include Patriot missiles. That brings the grand total of arms purchases to about NT$633 billion.
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