President Lai 'Surprised' by Drone Budget Cut, Hopes for Swift Passage of General Budget
On June 9 in Taichung, President Lai Ching-te attended a conference for Taiwan's drone industry alliance, expressing surprise that the legislature cut the entire budget for drone development. He emphasized that promoting the drone industry is a major national policy and stated he will not give up. Lai called for the swift passage of the central government's general budget to foster rapid industrial growth.
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- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 12:34
- 🔍 Collected: June 9, 2026 at 12:47 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 9, 2026 at 12:54 (7 min after Collected)
(CNA, Reporter Su Mu-chun, Taichung, 9th) President Lai Ching-te attended the grand assembly of the Taiwan Excellence Drone Overseas Business Opportunity Alliance today. He stated that promoting the drone industry is a major national policy. He found it surprising that the Legislative Yuan cut all funding for drone development but said he will not give up and hopes everyone will continue to work hard together.
The event was held today at the Hsiang-Yuan Hotel & Resort's recreation center, part of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). Representatives from the aviation and drone industries gathered, with AIDC Chairman Tsao Chin-ping among the attendees.
During the meeting, President Lai thanked the industry players for responding to the Ministry of Economic Affairs' call to join the grand alliance. He stated that promoting the drone industry is a major national policy, hoping that Taiwan's drone industry can become an Asia-Pacific center for global drone development. He expressed his wish to concretely achieve the goals of strengthening national defense and driving industrial upgrading and economic development.
Regarding the development of the drone industry, President Lai mentioned that the government is promoting four major initiatives: forming a national team grand alliance, allocating a special budget for support, deregulating laws, and establishing a conducive environment.
President Lai then shifted his tone, stating that even in the past when the DPP was in power with a minority in the legislature, a situation like this year's in the Legislative Yuan had never occurred. He acknowledged that competition in party politics is unavoidable, but there should be a line for opposition. He found it very surprising that the Legislative Yuan cut all drone development funds, only passing NT$780 billion in military procurement.
President Lai said that this year's central government general budget has not yet passed. Someone told him that although Taiwan's economy has performed well in recent years, it would be even better if the general budget were passed on schedule, calling the situation very regrettable. He said he will not give up and hopes everyone will work together to get the budget passed as soon as possible, allowing the industry to flourish and jointly pursue the global drone industry market. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150609
The event was held today at the Hsiang-Yuan Hotel & Resort's recreation center, part of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). Representatives from the aviation and drone industries gathered, with AIDC Chairman Tsao Chin-ping among the attendees.
During the meeting, President Lai thanked the industry players for responding to the Ministry of Economic Affairs' call to join the grand alliance. He stated that promoting the drone industry is a major national policy, hoping that Taiwan's drone industry can become an Asia-Pacific center for global drone development. He expressed his wish to concretely achieve the goals of strengthening national defense and driving industrial upgrading and economic development.
Regarding the development of the drone industry, President Lai mentioned that the government is promoting four major initiatives: forming a national team grand alliance, allocating a special budget for support, deregulating laws, and establishing a conducive environment.
President Lai then shifted his tone, stating that even in the past when the DPP was in power with a minority in the legislature, a situation like this year's in the Legislative Yuan had never occurred. He acknowledged that competition in party politics is unavoidable, but there should be a line for opposition. He found it very surprising that the Legislative Yuan cut all drone development funds, only passing NT$780 billion in military procurement.
President Lai said that this year's central government general budget has not yet passed. Someone told him that although Taiwan's economy has performed well in recent years, it would be even better if the general budget were passed on schedule, calling the situation very regrettable. He said he will not give up and hopes everyone will work together to get the budget passed as soon as possible, allowing the industry to flourish and jointly pursue the global drone industry market. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150609
FAQ
賴清德總統對無人機預算被刪除持什麼看法？
他對立法院將無人機發展經費全部刪除感到非常意外，並表示這是過去即使在「朝小野大」時期也未曾發生的情況。但他強調不會放棄，希望預算能盡速通過。
政府推動無人機產業的目標是什麼？
政府的目標是將台灣打造成全球無人機發展的亞太中心，藉此強化國防力量，並帶動產業升級與經濟發展。
政府提出了哪些具體方案來發展無人機產業？
政府提出了四大具體推動方案：籌組國家隊大聯盟、編列專案預算支持、法規鬆綁與環境建置。
這次的台灣卓越無人機海外商機聯盟大會師在哪裡舉行？
活動在漢翔航空工業公司的翔園文旅文康中心舉辦。
賴總統對中央政府總預算延遲通過有何評論？
他表示，有人告訴他，若總預算能如期通過，台灣的經濟表現會更好，對現狀感到可惜，並希望預算能盡速通過以利產業發展。