Vice President: Continue to Secure Defense Budget and Implement 'Peace Through Strength'

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 28. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated today that President Lai Ching-te continues to push for strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. Although some special budgets have not received full support from the Legislative Yuan, progress has been made on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) projects. The government is currently studying remedial plans for defense capability development, such as unmanned systems, and will continue to communicate with the Legislative Yuan and the public to secure the broadest support, implement the concept of 'peace through strength,' and ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Presidential Office released a press release today stating that Vice President Hsiao met with a delegation from the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) on the afternoon of the 27th. In her remarks, she welcomed the delegation led by former U.S. Army Pacific Commander Charles Flynn and noted the long-standing good cooperation between Taiwan and the USTBC. The Vice President stated that President Lai continues to promote the strengthening of Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, including increasing the annual defense budget and proposing special budgets. While the special budget did not receive full support from the Legislative Yuan, some content has recently made progress, mainly involving FMS projects. She also said that the government is considering possible remedial plans for defense capability development originally planned in the special budget, especially in areas such as unmanned systems, and will continue to communicate with the Legislative Yuan and the public to secure the broadest support to ensure that relevant defense budgets are in place. The Vice President stated that the relevant budget planning is only part of Taiwan's broader defense commitment, and various defense reforms that the government has been promoting for many years are proceeding on schedule. The Ministry of National Defense continues to deepen its cooperative relationship with the U.S. government and industry. Taiwan looks forward to continuing to promote FMS, commercial purchases, and domestic production to implement the concept of 'peace through strength' and ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The Vice President pointed out that despite geopolitical challenges and tariff pressures, Taiwan's economic growth rate in the first quarter of this year was still very impressive. Taiwan will continue to expand its global technology layout, especially in the semiconductor field, and support the development of artificial intelligence in the United States and the process of U.S. industrial revitalization through greenfield investment and other investments in the United States. She also said that Taiwan welcomes more U.S. companies to continue to invest in Taiwan and jointly build an important industrial ecosystem. She looks forward to continuing to deepen cooperation in relevant fields and facing various challenges together. (Editor: Zhai Sijia)