Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim: Deletion of Commercial Procurement and Contract Manufacturing in Defense Bill May Cause Capability Gaps
Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim expressed concern that the deletion of commercial procurement and contract manufacturing items from the National Defense Special Act, recently passed by the Legislative Yuan, could lead to capability gaps and missed opportunities for domestic manufacturers to integrate into the international security supply chain.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 20:13
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 20:31 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 21:15 (43 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, May 9, Central News Agency reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said today that the Legislative Yuan's passage of part of the National Defense Special Act budget is an important step after half a year of communication between the ruling and opposition parties and the Ministry of National Defense. However, the deletion of commercial procurement and contract manufacturing items not only easily creates capability gaps but also misses a valuable opportunity for domestic manufacturing industries to connect with international security supply chains.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim posted on Facebook this afternoon, stating that yesterday the Legislative Yuan passed part of the National Defense Special Act budget, which is a difficult step finally taken after nearly half a year of continuous communication and dialogue between the Ministry of National Defense and the Legislative Yuan with various sectors of society.
The Vice President said that first, she particularly thanked all the good friends who have always believed in Taiwan, supported strengthening the determination for self-defense, and continued to pay attention to national security during this period. However, she must also honestly face the fact that this is just one step in building Taiwan's defense capabilities, and there is still a long way to go to meet national defense needs and the people's expectations for security.
She stated that the deletion of commercial procurement and contract manufacturing in this National Defense Special Budget is indeed regrettable. She has repeatedly explained to society that in the face of complex gray zone threats and emerging technological challenges, introducing civilian technology and developing asymmetric warfare capabilities are the most crucial defense lines for building 'Taiwan's Shield'.
The Vice President pointed out that rejecting these opportunities, which have high mobility and can drive all industries in Taiwan to participate in defense upgrades, not only easily creates capability gaps but also misses a valuable opportunity for domestic manufacturing industries to connect with international security supply chains.
She emphasized that national security cannot walk on one leg, nor can it only have hands and feet without the eyes, brain, and nerves for perception and command and control integration. Relying solely on traditional foreign military procurement absolutely cannot sustain a modern rapidly changing battlefield alone, and will expose soldiers who defend the country on the front lines to great risks; 'They are not strangers, they are our relatives, friends, or even neighbors' children. We have an absolute responsibility to provide them with the most appropriate and advanced defensive tools.'
The Vice President said that facing such a result, they will not give up, nor can they stop. The government will continue to work hard to communicate with the ruling and opposition parties, seek the greatest social consensus on the existing foundation, and sincerely hope that Taiwan can quickly make up for the critical capabilities required by the overall defense system, jointly guard the cherished freedom and democracy, and the security and prosperity of the people of Taiwan for generations. (Edited by Lin Ke-lun, Yang Kai-xiang) 1150509
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(Taipei, May 9, Central News Agency reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said today that the Legislative Yuan's passage of part of the National Defense Special Act budget is an important step after half a year of communication between the ruling and opposition parties and the Ministry of National Defense. However, the deletion of commercial procurement and contract manufacturing items not only easily creates capability gaps but also misses a valuable opportunity for domestic manufacturing industries to connect with international security supply chains.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim posted on Facebook this afternoon, stating that yesterday the Legislative Yuan passed part of the National Defense Special Act budget, which is a difficult step finally taken after nearly half a year of continuous communication and dialogue between the Ministry of National Defense and the Legislative Yuan with various sectors of society.
The Vice President said that first, she particularly thanked all the good friends who have always believed in Taiwan, supported strengthening the determination for self-defense, and continued to pay attention to national security during this period. However, she must also honestly face the fact that this is just one step in building Taiwan's defense capabilities, and there is still a long way to go to meet national defense needs and the people's expectations for security.
She stated that the deletion of commercial procurement and contract manufacturing in this National Defense Special Budget is indeed regrettable. She has repeatedly explained to society that in the face of complex gray zone threats and emerging technological challenges, introducing civilian technology and developing asymmetric warfare capabilities are the most crucial defense lines for building 'Taiwan's Shield'.
The Vice President pointed out that rejecting these opportunities, which have high mobility and can drive all industries in Taiwan to participate in defense upgrades, not only easily creates capability gaps but also misses a valuable opportunity for domestic manufacturing industries to connect with international security supply chains.
She emphasized that national security cannot walk on one leg, nor can it only have hands and feet without the eyes, brain, and nerves for perception and command and control integration. Relying solely on traditional foreign military procurement absolutely cannot sustain a modern rapidly changing battlefield alone, and will expose soldiers who defend the country on the front lines to great risks; 'They are not strangers, they are our relatives, friends, or even neighbors' children. We have an absolute responsibility to provide them with the most appropriate and advanced defensive tools.'
The Vice President said that facing such a result, they will not give up, nor can they stop. The government will continue to work hard to communicate with the ruling and opposition parties, seek the greatest social consensus on the existing foundation, and sincerely hope that Taiwan can quickly make up for the critical capabilities required by the overall defense system, jointly guard the cherished freedom and democracy, and the security and prosperity of the people of Taiwan for generations. (Edited by Lin Ke-lun, Yang Kai-xiang) 1150509
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-Hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.