Green Camp: Defense Budget of Only NT$780 Billion Makes US Question Trust in Taiwan
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan's decision to cut the special defense budget to NT$780 billion has drawn criticism from the DPP's Executive Secretary Zhuang Ruei-hsiung, who warned it would make the US question its trust in Taiwan. The US State Department also called the reduction a 'concession to the Chinese Communist Party.'
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 12:39
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 13:02 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 01:16 (12h 14m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, 11th) The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the Special Act for the Procurement of National Security and Asymmetric Warfare Capability Enhancement Plan on the 8th. Zhuang Ruei-hsiung, Executive Secretary of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus, stated today that it is very regrettable that the special budget passed by the Legislative Yuan is only NT$780 billion. He added that just when the United States finally regarded Taiwan as a partner and sought to strengthen Taiwan's defense, the message conveyed by the Legislative Yuan would only make the US question its trust in Taiwan.
The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the National Defense Special Act on the 8th, allocating a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion, which is NT$470 billion less than the original Executive Yuan's version of NT$1.25 trillion over eight years, excluding commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing cases. The US State Department responded by stating that further delaying funding for other planned defense capabilities is "a concession to the Chinese Communist Party."
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Ma Wen-chun said on social media that if she could make her own decisions, if she had full authority, she would support NT$0. Zheng Li-wen responded with "Admiration, brave one" in support.
DPP Legislative Yuan Caucus Executive Secretary Zhuang Ruei-hsiung stated at a caucus press conference this morning that it is very regrettable that the Legislative Yuan only passed NT$780 billion. The KMT said it beautifully, that some could be placed in the general budget. Allocating relevant defense budgets in the general budget has been a long-standing practice. This time, the US and Taiwan, after two years of inventory, proposed the National Defense Special Act, whose name is to strengthen and enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities. However, the KMT and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) removed drones, a key component of asymmetric warfare capabilities, which is very ironic and regrettable.
Zhuang Ruei-hsiung pointed out that both the KMT and TPP verbally claim to want to enhance national defense capabilities, but their actions are completely opposite. They removed important drone components and also removed defense autonomy. Looking at today's Taiwan stock index, the military industry stocks hit their daily limit down or plunged, indicating investors' disappointment. Just when the United States finally regarded Taiwan as a partner and sought to strengthen Taiwan's defense, the message conveyed by the Legislative Yuan would only make the US question its trust in Taiwan.
Regarding Zheng Li-wen's support for Ma Wen-chun, Zhuang Ruei-hsiung stated that the KMT originally had great internal pressure and even internal strife. After finally integrating, they spoke their true feelings after the bill passed, appearing unwilling. Taiwan's biggest threat comes from the Chinese Communist Party. Unless the KMT disregards Taiwan's national security, unless the KMT disregards the CCP's military threat to Taiwan.
Zhuang Ruei-hsiung said that Zheng Li-wen's ultimate trump card and weapon is the '1992 Consensus,' believing that as long as there is the '1992 Consensus,' as long as they follow the CCP, follow Chinese President Xi Jinping's主張, which is to advocate 'one China' and the '1992 Consensus,' then there will be no problems in the Taiwan Strait. This is Zheng Li-wen's unspoken meaning, an excessive submission to China. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Jing-yin, Taipei, 11th) The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the Special Act for the Procurement of National Security and Asymmetric Warfare Capability Enhancement Plan on the 8th. Zhuang Ruei-hsiung, Executive Secretary of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus, stated today that it is very regrettable that the special budget passed by the Legislative Yuan is only NT$780 billion. He added that just when the United States finally regarded Taiwan as a partner and sought to strengthen Taiwan's defense, the message conveyed by the Legislative Yuan would only make the US question its trust in Taiwan.
The Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the National Defense Special Act on the 8th, allocating a budget ceiling of NT$780 billion, which is NT$470 billion less than the original Executive Yuan's version of NT$1.25 trillion over eight years, excluding commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing cases. The US State Department responded by stating that further delaying funding for other planned defense capabilities is "a concession to the Chinese Communist Party."
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Ma Wen-chun said on social media that if she could make her own decisions, if she had full authority, she would support NT$0. Zheng Li-wen responded with "Admiration, brave one" in support.
DPP Legislative Yuan Caucus Executive Secretary Zhuang Ruei-hsiung stated at a caucus press conference this morning that it is very regrettable that the Legislative Yuan only passed NT$780 billion. The KMT said it beautifully, that some could be placed in the general budget. Allocating relevant defense budgets in the general budget has been a long-standing practice. This time, the US and Taiwan, after two years of inventory, proposed the National Defense Special Act, whose name is to strengthen and enhance asymmetric warfare capabilities. However, the KMT and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) removed drones, a key component of asymmetric warfare capabilities, which is very ironic and regrettable.
Zhuang Ruei-hsiung pointed out that both the KMT and TPP verbally claim to want to enhance national defense capabilities, but their actions are completely opposite. They removed important drone components and also removed defense autonomy. Looking at today's Taiwan stock index, the military industry stocks hit their daily limit down or plunged, indicating investors' disappointment. Just when the United States finally regarded Taiwan as a partner and sought to strengthen Taiwan's defense, the message conveyed by the Legislative Yuan would only make the US question its trust in Taiwan.
Regarding Zheng Li-wen's support for Ma Wen-chun, Zhuang Ruei-hsiung stated that the KMT originally had great internal pressure and even internal strife. After finally integrating, they spoke their true feelings after the bill passed, appearing unwilling. Taiwan's biggest threat comes from the Chinese Communist Party. Unless the KMT disregards Taiwan's national security, unless the KMT disregards the CCP's military threat to Taiwan.
Zhuang Ruei-hsiung said that Zheng Li-wen's ultimate trump card and weapon is the '1992 Consensus,' believing that as long as there is the '1992 Consensus,' as long as they follow the CCP, follow Chinese President Xi Jinping's主張, which is to advocate 'one China' and the '1992 Consensus,' then there will be no problems in the Taiwan Strait. This is Zheng Li-wen's unspoken meaning, an excessive submission to China. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "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 used without authorization.