US Indo-Pacific Commander: Taiwan's Investment in Its Own Defense is Crucial, Cannot Let the Chicken Starve
US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo emphasized the critical importance of Taiwan funding its own defense during a congressional hearing, stating that US commitment cannot surpass Taiwan's own efforts.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 06:52
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Central News Agency
(CNA Correspondent Hou Zi-ying, Washington, 21st) In response to US lawmakers' concerns regarding the importance of Taiwan passing its special defense budget, US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo stated at a congressional hearing today that Washington's commitment to Taiwan's defense cannot exceed Taiwan's own commitment to its defense. He emphasized that it is crucial for Taiwan to provide funding for its own defense, stating, "If you let the chicken starve, you won't get the chicken and you won't get the egg."
The US Senate held a hearing today on the deployment posture of the US Indo-Pacific Command, attended by military leaders including Admiral Samuel Paparo. During the hearing, many senators expressed concern over China's military threat to Taiwan and issues such as Taiwan's special defense budget.
Responding to Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee, regarding the importance of Taiwan passing the special defense budget, Paparo stated that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged and that US arms sales to Taiwan have not exceeded normal levels in the nearly 50 years since the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Paparo further noted that the US level of concern for Taiwan's defense cannot exceed their own concern, stressing, "If you let the chicken starve, you won't get the chicken and you won't get the egg." Therefore, it is essential that Taiwan funds its own defense.
Senator Shaheen, who led a delegation to Taiwan in late March, said she supports Taiwan passing the special defense budget for two main reasons: 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 the budget passed.
Additionally, Republican Senator Tom Cotton asked whether Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Cheng Li-wun's recent visit to China would affect the future direction of Taiwan's defense spending. Paparo responded that "actions speak louder than words," and the progress of Taiwan's special defense budget will show "how steadfast their commitment (to self-defense) is."
When asked about Taiwan's willingness to defend its country and its planning for military contingencies, Paparo said he has great confidence in the willingness, capability, and resolve of Taiwan's military-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 reaction of their entire society was admirable. Currently, Taiwan's polling data is much higher than Ukraine's was at the time, which gives him a positive outlook on the Taiwanese people's willingness to defend their home.
Paparo also believes the Taiwanese military is working very hard and achieving results in constructing operational concepts, which will guide them to successfully thwart any invasion attempt.
A bipartisan group of US senators, including Shaheen, sent a letter on the 14th to KMT-affiliated Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu and senior caucus members of other political parties in Taiwan's legislature, urging Taiwan to accelerate the legislation of the special military procurement act under Chinese pressure.
President Lai Ching-te proposed an $40 billion (about NT$1.25 trillion) supplementary defense budget over 8 years last year to counter China, but it was obstructed by the opposition camp led by the KMT, which pushed for a KMT-proposed version with a reduced financial scale.
(CNA Correspondent Hou Zi-ying, Washington, 21st) In response to US lawmakers' concerns regarding the importance of Taiwan passing its special defense budget, US Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo stated at a congressional hearing today that Washington's commitment to Taiwan's defense cannot exceed Taiwan's own commitment to its defense. He emphasized that it is crucial for Taiwan to provide funding for its own defense, stating, "If you let the chicken starve, you won't get the chicken and you won't get the egg."
The US Senate held a hearing today on the deployment posture of the US Indo-Pacific Command, attended by military leaders including Admiral Samuel Paparo. During the hearing, many senators expressed concern over China's military threat to Taiwan and issues such as Taiwan's special defense budget.
Responding to Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee, regarding the importance of Taiwan passing the special defense budget, Paparo stated that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged and that US arms sales to Taiwan have not exceeded normal levels in the nearly 50 years since the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Paparo further noted that the US level of concern for Taiwan's defense cannot exceed their own concern, stressing, "If you let the chicken starve, you won't get the chicken and you won't get the egg." Therefore, it is essential that Taiwan funds its own defense.
Senator Shaheen, who led a delegation to Taiwan in late March, said she supports Taiwan passing the special defense budget for two main reasons: 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 the budget passed.
Additionally, Republican Senator Tom Cotton asked whether Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Cheng Li-wun's recent visit to China would affect the future direction of Taiwan's defense spending. Paparo responded that "actions speak louder than words," and the progress of Taiwan's special defense budget will show "how steadfast their commitment (to self-defense) is."
When asked about Taiwan's willingness to defend its country and its planning for military contingencies, Paparo said he has great confidence in the willingness, capability, and resolve of Taiwan's military-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 reaction of their entire society was admirable. Currently, Taiwan's polling data is much higher than Ukraine's was at the time, which gives him a positive outlook on the Taiwanese people's willingness to defend their home.
Paparo also believes the Taiwanese military is working very hard and achieving results in constructing operational concepts, which will guide them to successfully thwart any invasion attempt.
A bipartisan group of US senators, including Shaheen, sent a letter on the 14th to KMT-affiliated Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu and senior caucus members of other political parties in Taiwan's legislature, urging Taiwan to accelerate the legislation of the special military procurement act under Chinese pressure.
President Lai Ching-te proposed an $40 billion (about NT$1.25 trillion) supplementary defense budget over 8 years last year to counter China, but it was obstructed by the opposition camp led by the KMT, which pushed for a KMT-proposed version with a reduced financial scale.