US Indo-Pacific Commander: Important for Taiwan to invest in its own defense, 'cannot let the chicken starve'

(Central News Agency reporter Hou Tzu-ying, Washington, 21st) US lawmakers are concerned about the importance of Taiwan passing a special defense budget. US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo responded at a congressional hearing today, stating that Washington's emphasis on Taiwan's defense cannot exceed its own emphasis on defense, and that it is crucial for Taiwan to provide funding for its own national defense. "If you starve the chicken, you get no chicken and no egg."

The US Senate held a hearing today on the deployment posture of the US Indo-Pacific Command, attended by Paparo and other military generals. Many lawmakers expressed concern about China's military threat to Taiwan and issues such as Taiwan's special defense budget.

When asked by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, about the importance of Taiwan passing the special defense budget, Paparo responded that US policy towards Taiwan has not changed, and arms sales to Taiwan have not exceeded the norm in the nearly 50 years since the Taiwan Relations Act was implemented.

Paparo also said that the US cannot place more importance on Taiwan's defense than they do themselves, emphasizing, "If you starve the chicken, you get no chicken and no egg." Therefore, it is essential for Taiwan to fund its own defense.

Shaheen, who led a delegation to Taiwan at the end of March, said there are two main reasons she supports Taiwan passing the special defense budget: first, to send a message to China, and second, to send a message to the US Congress that "Congress strongly supports Taiwan" and hopes to see this budget passed.

Additionally, Republican Senator Tom Cotton asked whether the recent visit of Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Cheng Li-wun to China would affect the future direction of Taiwan's defense spending. Paparo stated, "Actions speak louder than words," adding that the progress of Taiwan's special defense budget bill will show "how steadfast their commitment (to self-defense) is."

When asked about Taiwan's willingness to defend its country and planning for military contingencies, Paparo said he has great confidence in the willingness, capability, and will of Taiwan's draft-age population to defend their homeland.

He pointed out that polling data in Ukraine was relatively low before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, but the subsequent response of their entire society was admirable. Taiwan's current polling data is much higher than Ukraine's was at the time, which gives him a positive view of the Taiwanese people's willingness to defend their home.

Paparo also believes the Taiwanese military is working very hard and achieving results in building operational concepts, which will guide them in successfully thwarting any invasion.

A bipartisan group of US senators, including Shaheen, sent a letter on the 14th to KMT Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu and the leadership of other political parties' caucuses in Taiwan, urging that under pressure from China, Taiwan should accelerate the legislative work for the special military procurement act.

President Lai Ching-te proposed a an 8-year, $40 billion (about NT$1.25 trillion) supplementary defense budget last year to counter China, but it was obstructed by the opposition camp led by the KMT, which is pushing a KMT-version proposal with a reduced funding scale. (Editor: Hung Chi-yuan) 1150422

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