Legislative Yuan passes NT$780 billion defense special act; Green warns of potential US-Taiwan cooperation halt
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed a defense special act with a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) expressed regret, stating that the reduced version passed by the opposition (KMT and TPP) ignores national security, potentially halting US-Taiwan cooperation and undermining Taiwan's defense capabilities.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:21
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 19:32 (10 min after Published)
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Central News Agency (Reporter Wang Yang-yu, Taipei, 8th) With the numerical advantage of the Blue and White camps, the Legislative Yuan today passed the third reading of the National Defense Special Act, with a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus stated that the Blue and White camps disregarded national security and jointly passed a version of the defense special act that was cut by 40%, which could halt US-Taiwan cooperation and is regrettable.
The Legislative Yuan today, after a vote, passed the third reading of the "Special Act for Procurement under the National Security Safeguarding and Asymmetric Combat Capability Enhancement Program," which concerns military procurement from the United States. The total budget ceiling is set at NT$780 billion, with the first wave of US military procurement capped at NT$300 billion and the second wave capped at NT$480 billion.
In response, DPP caucus whip Fan Yun, deputy secretary-generals Chen Pei-yu and Shen Po-yang, deputy whips Huang Jie and Wu Pei-yi, and legislator Chen Guan-ting held a press conference after the meeting to provide explanations.
Fan Yun emphasized that the Blue and White camps disregarded national security and jointly pushed through a truncated version of the defense special act, slashed by 40%, which could halt US-Taiwan cooperation. It also removed the development of unmanned vehicles and counter-systems, which are highly regarded internationally, and excluded AI assistance and tactical networks, increasing the reaction time needed when facing massive amounts of intelligence on the front line.
Fan Yun stated that when Taiwan most needs to strengthen its defense capabilities, KMT and Taiwan People's Party legislators are standing against the safety of the Taiwanese people, dismantling Taiwan's defenses for aggressors, which is deeply regrettable. The DPP caucus will continue to work hard.
When asked by the media how the DPP caucus would continue to work, Fan Yun responded that the DPP caucus has always supported the Executive Yuan's 8-year NT$1.25 trillion version. However, the version passed today sends an unfavorable message internationally and fails to instill confidence in Taiwan among allies, and its deterrence against China is insufficient. Therefore, "we will absolutely not give up" and will continue to work hard. There are many possibilities, also involving the planning of the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of National Defense, and the details will be announced to all sectors after thorough discussion.
Shen Po-yang pointed out that he repeatedly asked opposition legislators why they removed Taiwan's Shield AI assistance system and unmanned vehicles, but even after the vote, the Blue and White camps did not answer. He believes that the Blue and White camps' intention from beginning to end was to paralyze and delay Taiwan's national defense.
Huang Jie mentioned that 70% of the public supports the NT$1.25 trillion version, and countries worldwide also expect Taiwan to pass the most comprehensive version of the defense special act. However, today's outcome not only discounted the amount but also "removed the brain" and excluded the defense industry. She hopes the public will continue to support the government and condemn the Blue and White camps for playing a trick. (Editor: Zhang Ruo-yao) 1150508
The Legislative Yuan today, after a vote, passed the third reading of the "Special Act for Procurement under the National Security Safeguarding and Asymmetric Combat Capability Enhancement Program," which concerns military procurement from the United States. The total budget ceiling is set at NT$780 billion, with the first wave of US military procurement capped at NT$300 billion and the second wave capped at NT$480 billion.
In response, DPP caucus whip Fan Yun, deputy secretary-generals Chen Pei-yu and Shen Po-yang, deputy whips Huang Jie and Wu Pei-yi, and legislator Chen Guan-ting held a press conference after the meeting to provide explanations.
Fan Yun emphasized that the Blue and White camps disregarded national security and jointly pushed through a truncated version of the defense special act, slashed by 40%, which could halt US-Taiwan cooperation. It also removed the development of unmanned vehicles and counter-systems, which are highly regarded internationally, and excluded AI assistance and tactical networks, increasing the reaction time needed when facing massive amounts of intelligence on the front line.
Fan Yun stated that when Taiwan most needs to strengthen its defense capabilities, KMT and Taiwan People's Party legislators are standing against the safety of the Taiwanese people, dismantling Taiwan's defenses for aggressors, which is deeply regrettable. The DPP caucus will continue to work hard.
When asked by the media how the DPP caucus would continue to work, Fan Yun responded that the DPP caucus has always supported the Executive Yuan's 8-year NT$1.25 trillion version. However, the version passed today sends an unfavorable message internationally and fails to instill confidence in Taiwan among allies, and its deterrence against China is insufficient. Therefore, "we will absolutely not give up" and will continue to work hard. There are many possibilities, also involving the planning of the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of National Defense, and the details will be announced to all sectors after thorough discussion.
Shen Po-yang pointed out that he repeatedly asked opposition legislators why they removed Taiwan's Shield AI assistance system and unmanned vehicles, but even after the vote, the Blue and White camps did not answer. He believes that the Blue and White camps' intention from beginning to end was to paralyze and delay Taiwan's national defense.
Huang Jie mentioned that 70% of the public supports the NT$1.25 trillion version, and countries worldwide also expect Taiwan to pass the most comprehensive version of the defense special act. However, today's outcome not only discounted the amount but also "removed the brain" and excluded the defense industry. She hopes the public will continue to support the government and condemn the Blue and White camps for playing a trick. (Editor: Zhang Ruo-yao) 1150508