Budget Stalemate Threatens AI and Space Programs; Wu Cheng-wen Hopes Legislative Yuan Expedites Review
NSTC Chairman Wu Cheng-wen warned that delays in the Legislative Yuan's review of the general budget could severely impact Taiwan's AI and space development plans. Projects like the expansion of the National Computing Cloud Computing Center in Southern Taiwan Science Park and the establishment of the National Intelligent Robot Research Center and semiconductor research base in Tainan are at risk of stagnation. Wu also highlighted potential loss of opportunities to participate in US moon exploration programs and talent drain if the budget is not approved promptly.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 15:38
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 16:00 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 18:14 (170h 13m after Collected)
The Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee today invited National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Chairman Wu Cheng-wen to report on business conditions and answer questions.
Several legislators expressed concern about Taiwan's AI progress. Wu Cheng-wen stated that the National Computing Cloud Computing Center in Southern Taiwan Science Park was activated at the end of last year, and a new data center construction project is scheduled to start this year. Without a budget, expanding computing power would be very difficult.
Democratic Progressive Party legislators Lin Yi-chin, Chen Hsiu-pao, and Wu Szu-yao inquired about the impact of the Legislative Yuan's unreviewed general budget for this year on NSTC's related projects. Wu Cheng-wen explained that for intelligent robots, the NSTC has allocated a budget to support academic research, and the National Applied Research Laboratories also plans to establish a National Intelligent Robot Research Center. Academics are already anxiously inquiring because these related projects have not yet started.
Lin Yi-chin pointed out that the United States and the United Kingdom have recently shown goodwill towards the Taiwan Space Agency, expressing concern that if the budget is delayed, it might affect cooperation opportunities and also halt the construction of the Space Agency's rocket research and development base.
Wu Cheng-wen responded that Taiwan has advantages in semiconductor and AI hardware manufacturing, which increases international cooperation opportunities. In addition to the United States and the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and other countries are also expected to engage in cooperation. He hopes the Legislative Yuan can support the budget. He also revealed that Taiwan will have the opportunity to participate in US moon landing-related projects, but the current details remain confidential.
He further stated that the Space Agency will establish a rocket research and development base in Shalun, Tainan, which is a public construction project scheduled to start this year. If the budget is not approved, "it won't even be able to start."
Wu Szu-yao noted that the Smart Innovation Computing Center in Shalun is expected to be operational in 2029, and the unreviewed general budget will stall the project and may also hinder the Greater South New Silicon Valley plan.
Wu Cheng-wen stated that AI applications require computing power support, and the data center in the south will integrate quantum computing, which is very important for Taiwan's development. At the same time, a semiconductor research base will also be built in Tainan, both of which are crucial for the nation's long-term development.
He emphasized that if related projects cannot start as scheduled, there will be pressure from talent outflow, as talent will not wait. "The lost opportunities are unimaginable," he said, hoping the Legislative Yuan will expedite the review of the general budget. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150408
Several legislators expressed concern about Taiwan's AI progress. Wu Cheng-wen stated that the National Computing Cloud Computing Center in Southern Taiwan Science Park was activated at the end of last year, and a new data center construction project is scheduled to start this year. Without a budget, expanding computing power would be very difficult.
Democratic Progressive Party legislators Lin Yi-chin, Chen Hsiu-pao, and Wu Szu-yao inquired about the impact of the Legislative Yuan's unreviewed general budget for this year on NSTC's related projects. Wu Cheng-wen explained that for intelligent robots, the NSTC has allocated a budget to support academic research, and the National Applied Research Laboratories also plans to establish a National Intelligent Robot Research Center. Academics are already anxiously inquiring because these related projects have not yet started.
Lin Yi-chin pointed out that the United States and the United Kingdom have recently shown goodwill towards the Taiwan Space Agency, expressing concern that if the budget is delayed, it might affect cooperation opportunities and also halt the construction of the Space Agency's rocket research and development base.
Wu Cheng-wen responded that Taiwan has advantages in semiconductor and AI hardware manufacturing, which increases international cooperation opportunities. In addition to the United States and the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and other countries are also expected to engage in cooperation. He hopes the Legislative Yuan can support the budget. He also revealed that Taiwan will have the opportunity to participate in US moon landing-related projects, but the current details remain confidential.
He further stated that the Space Agency will establish a rocket research and development base in Shalun, Tainan, which is a public construction project scheduled to start this year. If the budget is not approved, "it won't even be able to start."
Wu Szu-yao noted that the Smart Innovation Computing Center in Shalun is expected to be operational in 2029, and the unreviewed general budget will stall the project and may also hinder the Greater South New Silicon Valley plan.
Wu Cheng-wen stated that AI applications require computing power support, and the data center in the south will integrate quantum computing, which is very important for Taiwan's development. At the same time, a semiconductor research base will also be built in Tainan, both of which are crucial for the nation's long-term development.
He emphasized that if related projects cannot start as scheduled, there will be pressure from talent outflow, as talent will not wait. "The lost opportunities are unimaginable," he said, hoping the Legislative Yuan will expedite the review of the general budget. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150408
FAQ
How will the budget delay affect Taiwan's AI plans?
The budget delay will hinder the expansion of the National Computing Cloud Computing Center in Southern Taiwan Science Park and the establishment of the National Intelligent Robot Research Center in Tainan, making AI computing power expansion very difficult.
How will Taiwan's space program be affected by the budget delay?
The budget delay could halt the construction of the Taiwan Space Agency's rocket research and development base and potentially cause Taiwan to miss opportunities to participate in US moon exploration programs.