Cheng Li-chun: Abolishing the Control Yuan Requires Constitutional Amendment with High Threshold, Not KMT's Priority

(Taipei, June 22, CNA reporter Liu Kuan-ting) The existence of Taiwan's Control Yuan has sparked debate. KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-chun stated today that amending the constitution is almost impossible, and abolishing the Control Yuan requires constitutional revision, so it will not be a priority issue for the KMT to promote at this time. The threshold for constitutional amendment is too high, and she considers herself a pragmatic politician.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has called for constitutional reform to abolish the Control Yuan and said he has communicated with five KMT legislators from Taipei, respecting the decision of the KMT caucus in the Legislative Yuan.

In an afternoon interview with the online program 'Lunch Break Discussion,' Cheng Li-chun said everyone knows constitutional amendment is nearly impossible. Since abolishing the Control Yuan requires constitutional change, it will not be a priority for the KMT to push forward now. In the past, some within the party advocated abolishing the Control Yuan or changing the five-power constitutional system; these are not new ideas. However, the threshold for constitutional amendment is too high, and as a pragmatic politician, she emphasized realism.

She stated that actually pushing for constitutional amendment is impossible—it's merely symbolic posturing. 'The DPP has broken many promises. They once called US pork 'poisonous pork,' but later forced people to eat it. Did DPP supporters feel deceived?' She questioned the DPP's inconsistency, saying they say one thing when in opposition and another when in power, changing their minds when their position changes, and urged the public to once again expose the DPP's contradictory lies.

She emphasized that she is now party chair, not a commentator, and the KMT currently has no plan to promote constitutional reform.

Regarding her recent U.S. visit, Cheng mentioned delivering a speech at the Asia Society think tank, where she was asked, 'What can President Trump learn from you?' She replied that learning is too presumptuous, but she had a message for Trump, and she is certain the message was delivered. She stated with 100% certainty that Trump is aware of her remarks at the Asia Society.

Additionally, regarding the Executive Yuan's passage of the draft Special Act on Unmanned Vehicle Procurement, Cheng stated that the KMT's stance supporting defense industry self-reliance remains unchanged. However, the DPP's version has numerous problems with partner companies, including unreasonable provisions that may violate fiscal discipline, legislative principles, and could lead to corruption scandals. The KMT will strictly monitor these issues in the legislature on behalf of the public.

She added that during her U.S. visit, she explained to American officials why the opposition does not accept the DPP government's proposals. The KMT will discuss whether to propose its own version, but it may not necessarily be a special act, as defense autonomy-related budgets are already included in annual budgets. Perhaps such matters should return to normal annual budgeting rather than being handled through special budgets. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang, Su Chih-tsung) 1150622