National Defense Special Act Passed, AIT: Delaying Remaining Items Only Benefits CCP
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed a NT$780 billion National Defense Special Act, but completely excluded commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing cases. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) welcomed the budget's passage but expressed hope for the approval of remaining budgets, such as for drones and integrated air and missile defense, warning that delaying these investments would weaken Taiwan's security and benefit the Chinese Communist Party.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 14:55
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 15:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 15:04 (3 min after Collected)
CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY
(Taipei, CNA, May 9) – Taiwan's Legislative Yuan yesterday passed a special act for national defense totaling NT$780 billion, but completely excluded commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing cases. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) stated today that it was encouraged by the budget's passage and looked forward to the approval of remaining budgets, such as for drones and integrated air and missile defense. It warned that delaying such investments would only weaken Taiwan's security and benefit the Chinese Communist Party.
The Legislative Yuan, through a vote yesterday, passed the “Special Act on Procurements for Defending National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Combat Capabilities,” which pertains to military purchases from the United States. The ceiling for these procurements was set at NT$780 billion for military purchases from the U.S. Yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense stated that the special act passed by the Legislative Yuan completely excludes commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing items, which it said would compromise the completeness of national defense construction planning and could easily lead to capability gaps.
The spokesperson for the American Institute in Taiwan responded to a CNA query via email today, stating that, as indicated by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. supports Taiwan in acquiring the critical defense capabilities needed to respond to threats. “The American Institute in Taiwan is also encouraged by the passage of the National Defense Special Budget” and looks forward to the approval of other remaining budgets, including for drones and integrated air and missile defense.
The American Institute in Taiwan stated that delaying and postponing these types of investments would only weaken Taiwan’s security and benefit the Chinese Communist Party. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150509
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(Taipei, CNA, May 9) – Taiwan's Legislative Yuan yesterday passed a special act for national defense totaling NT$780 billion, but completely excluded commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing cases. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) stated today that it was encouraged by the budget's passage and looked forward to the approval of remaining budgets, such as for drones and integrated air and missile defense. It warned that delaying such investments would only weaken Taiwan's security and benefit the Chinese Communist Party.
The Legislative Yuan, through a vote yesterday, passed the “Special Act on Procurements for Defending National Security and Strengthening Asymmetric Combat Capabilities,” which pertains to military purchases from the United States. The ceiling for these procurements was set at NT$780 billion for military purchases from the U.S. Yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense stated that the special act passed by the Legislative Yuan completely excludes commercial purchases and commissioned manufacturing items, which it said would compromise the completeness of national defense construction planning and could easily lead to capability gaps.
The spokesperson for the American Institute in Taiwan responded to a CNA query via email today, stating that, as indicated by the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. supports Taiwan in acquiring the critical defense capabilities needed to respond to threats. “The American Institute in Taiwan is also encouraged by the passage of the National Defense Special Budget” and looks forward to the approval of other remaining budgets, including for drones and integrated air and missile defense.
The American Institute in Taiwan stated that delaying and postponing these types of investments would only weaken Taiwan’s security and benefit the Chinese Communist Party. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150509
Stand with facts. Your every sponsorship supports the power of press freedom.
Download CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.