Taiwan Legislature Freezes NT$30 Million in ADB Donations Over Name Change to 'Chinese Taipei'

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 8) In response to the unilateral change of Taiwan's membership name to 'Chinese Taipei' in the Asian Development Bank (ADB), lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties proposed cutting or freezing donations to the ADB. The Legislative Yuan's Finance Committee on Monday passed a resolution to freeze NT$30 million until the ADB provides a positive response and the Ministry of Finance reports to the legislature.

The Finance Committee continued its review of the central government's general budget for fiscal year 2026, focusing on the expenditure budgets of the Ministry of Finance, the National Treasury Administration, the Customs Administration, the National Property Administration, and the Fiscal Information Agency, as well as financing resource allocation.

Kuomintang Legislator Lai Shyh-bao proposed a motion noting that the Ministry of Finance's budget for 'donation expenditures' this year totals NT$126.836 million, an increase of NT$44.26 million from fiscal year 2024, all of which are donations to ADB-related funds. However, in response to the ADB's change of Taiwan's membership name to 'Taipei, China' and the lack of concrete improvement despite protests, as well as increasing defense expenditures, he proposed a cut of NT$3 million.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislators Lee Kun-cheng and Kuo Kuo-wen also proposed a motion, noting that the donation expenditure category includes NT$33.196 million for the ADB's Domestic Resource Allocation Trust Fund, but the membership name has been unilaterally downgraded since 1986 due to Chinese factors. They proposed freezing NT$2 million, requiring the Ministry of Finance to submit a written report within two months before the funds can be used.

Lai said during the meeting that the Republic of China is a founding member of the ADB, yet its membership name has been downgraded. He argued that 'except for the NT$1 million annual fee, none of the other funds should be given.'

DPP Legislator Wu Ping-jui also criticized the ADB for singling out the Republic of China, saying it does not treat other countries the same way. He noted that despite annual protests, Taiwan continues to pay every year, and suggested that 'we should not pay until they change the name.'

Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun responded that the name issue has been raised with the ADB multiple times. However, she noted that in other aspects such as meeting agendas, Taiwan has not been treated differently. She emphasized that the priority should be to maintain substantive participation rather than being shut out.

Director-General of the Ministry of Finance's International Fiscal Affairs Department Lee Ming-chi explained that the donation increase follows the pattern of other donor countries, with each donation increasing by 0.4% from the previous one, resulting in the NT$40 million increase. He warned that non-payment could lead to the publication of Taiwan's name in the ADB's official bulletin and a reduction in the size of the Asian Development Trust Fund, potentially affecting friendly nations like Palau.

After discussion, the committee resolved to freeze NT$30 million until the ADB provides a positive response, after which the funds can be released following a written report. Most other budget freeze proposals from lawmakers were either reduced or made available after submitting a written report. The entire case passed its initial review and was sent out of the committee. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) June 8, 2026