Defense Procurement Statute Stalled: DPP Says National Defense Security Should Not Be Bargaining Chip for Political Infighting
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized the Kuomintang (KMT) for stalling the draft Defense Special Statute, asserting that national defense security should not be used as a bargaining chip in political infighting. The DPP questioned the KMT's vague objections to the defense budget and emphasized the urgency of strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities amid frequent military disturbances.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 13:43
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 14:01 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 14:06 (4 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporters Yeh Su-ping, Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, 29th) Regarding the stalled draft Defense Special Statute, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Wu Zheng stated today that national defense security should not be used as a bargaining chip for political infighting. He questioned why the draft Defense Special Statute has been delayed from the 'Xi-Zheng meeting' all the way until now. 'Should the bottom line for Taiwanese survival be decided by Xi Jinping's expression?'
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Zheng Li-wen said in a media interview yesterday that she would not oppose the passage of the draft Defense Special Statute to allocate NT$800 billion, but only on the condition that the United States formally issues a Letter of Offer to Taiwan before the military procurement budget can be drawn up. She stated that the KMT would absolutely not accept the Executive Yuan's blank authorization of NT$1.25 trillion, and if the DPP insists, cross-party negotiations would definitely break down.
Wu Zheng stated in a press release today that the KMT has been extremely passive in the negotiations for the defense procurement statute. He described the mere one-hour negotiation as a superficial formality. Zheng Li-wen and KMT Legislative Yuan Caucus whip Fu Kun-chi insisted on boycotting, delaying it past the 'Xi-Zheng meeting' and now intending to drag the deliberation schedule past the 'Trump-Xi meeting,' leading people to question what excuse they will find next as a shield.
Wu Zheng stated that Chinese military aircraft and ships frequently harass Taiwan daily, with 20 sorties of Chinese military aircraft invading the southwestern sea area just yesterday. Amidst powerful enemies, Zheng Li-wen and Fu Kun-chi stubbornly obstruct defense research and development and procurement. This collusion disregards the hard work of frontline soldiers and completely ignores national security.
Wu Zheng emphasized that security is the most fundamental need of the people, and obstructing national defense leaves the risk to all citizens. If the KMT's politicians still care about the people, they should restrain their party chairwoman and not be timid yes-men.
DPP Caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated at a DPP caucus press conference this morning that the KMT's military procurement versions ranged from NT$350 billion to NT$380 billion + N, and yesterday they mentioned NT$800 billion. He demanded that the KMT explain 'how the NT$800 billion came about?', which items are unreasonable, and which projects are unnecessary. He urged them to clearly state what they intend to cut, instead of turning it into a market haggling. He questioned Zheng Li-wen's true intentions and where she places national security and the enhancement of defense capabilities.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that Taiwan's national security cannot be decided by Zheng Li-wen shaking hands with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping in China for 14 seconds to make decisions for the Taiwanese people; this is a very terrifying thing.
(Central News Agency reporters Yeh Su-ping, Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, 29th) Regarding the stalled draft Defense Special Statute, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Wu Zheng stated today that national defense security should not be used as a bargaining chip for political infighting. He questioned why the draft Defense Special Statute has been delayed from the 'Xi-Zheng meeting' all the way until now. 'Should the bottom line for Taiwanese survival be decided by Xi Jinping's expression?'
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Zheng Li-wen said in a media interview yesterday that she would not oppose the passage of the draft Defense Special Statute to allocate NT$800 billion, but only on the condition that the United States formally issues a Letter of Offer to Taiwan before the military procurement budget can be drawn up. She stated that the KMT would absolutely not accept the Executive Yuan's blank authorization of NT$1.25 trillion, and if the DPP insists, cross-party negotiations would definitely break down.
Wu Zheng stated in a press release today that the KMT has been extremely passive in the negotiations for the defense procurement statute. He described the mere one-hour negotiation as a superficial formality. Zheng Li-wen and KMT Legislative Yuan Caucus whip Fu Kun-chi insisted on boycotting, delaying it past the 'Xi-Zheng meeting' and now intending to drag the deliberation schedule past the 'Trump-Xi meeting,' leading people to question what excuse they will find next as a shield.
Wu Zheng stated that Chinese military aircraft and ships frequently harass Taiwan daily, with 20 sorties of Chinese military aircraft invading the southwestern sea area just yesterday. Amidst powerful enemies, Zheng Li-wen and Fu Kun-chi stubbornly obstruct defense research and development and procurement. This collusion disregards the hard work of frontline soldiers and completely ignores national security.
Wu Zheng emphasized that security is the most fundamental need of the people, and obstructing national defense leaves the risk to all citizens. If the KMT's politicians still care about the people, they should restrain their party chairwoman and not be timid yes-men.
DPP Caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated at a DPP caucus press conference this morning that the KMT's military procurement versions ranged from NT$350 billion to NT$380 billion + N, and yesterday they mentioned NT$800 billion. He demanded that the KMT explain 'how the NT$800 billion came about?', which items are unreasonable, and which projects are unnecessary. He urged them to clearly state what they intend to cut, instead of turning it into a market haggling. He questioned Zheng Li-wen's true intentions and where she places national security and the enhancement of defense capabilities.
Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that Taiwan's national security cannot be decided by Zheng Li-wen shaking hands with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping in China for 14 seconds to make decisions for the Taiwanese people; this is a very terrifying thing.