National Defense Special Act Excludes Commercial Procurement, Lin Chia-lung: US Hopes Parliament Will Remedy
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed the NT$780 billion National Defense Special Act on its third reading, with concerns raised by the US regarding the exclusion of commercial procurement. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung emphasized the comprehensiveness of the executive's NT$1.25 trillion budget proposal, stating it demonstrates Taiwan's self-defense resolve, and that the US hopes Taiwan's parliament will provide a remedy.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 11:25
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 02:55 (15h 23m after Collected)
Taipei, May 11 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan passed the NT$780 billion National Defense Special Act on its third reading on the 8th, drawing attention for excluding commercial procurement and commissioned cases. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said today that the Executive Yuan's version of the national defense special budget (NT$1.25 trillion over 8 years) has overall integrity and demonstrates Taiwan's determination for self-defense. He added that the US also hopes Taiwan's parliament can provide a remedy and that through cross-party cooperation, the defense budget can support security policies.
The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee reviewed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' budget proposal for the 115th fiscal year this morning. Lin Chia-lung attended and responded to questions.
Regarding media concerns about whether the US is disappointed that the Legislative Yuan passed an arms procurement bill with a ceiling of NT$780 billion, completely excluding commercial procurement and commissioned projects, Lin Chia-lung stated that how Taiwan demonstrates its self-defense resolve and capabilities is naturally reflected in its national defense budget. He noted that the formulation of the national defense budget, especially the Executive Yuan's version of the special act (NT$1.25 trillion over 8 years), has its overall integrity.
Lin Chia-lung mentioned that the Executive Yuan's version responds to the US Indo-Pacific strategy, and Taiwan plays a key role in the first island chain. Therefore, the US hopes that Taiwan's parliament will provide a remedy and that cross-party cooperation will enable the defense budget to support security policies, as Taiwan's shield, the development of unmanned aircraft and vessels, and system integration are all indispensable parts of overall national defense.
Lin Chia-lung emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region is a common goal for Taiwan and like-minded countries, but it is necessary to demonstrate self-defense capabilities to deter aggression, especially given the Chinese Communist Party's military buildup, war preparations, and authoritarian expansion that bypasses the first island chain. This is also why like-minded countries want to maintain the peaceful and stable status quo, while also strengthening national defense capabilities and enhancing cooperation among democratic island nations.
Regarding the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting (US President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping), Lin Chia-lung said in an interview before the meeting that the government is closely monitoring the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting and has maintained continuous communication with the US side. He expressed confidence in the stable development of Taiwan-US relations, whether through public statements or private communications from the US government, and the US government has repeatedly stated that its Taiwan policy will not change.
As for issues such as KMT Chair Cheng Li-wen's visit to the US, Lin Chia-lung stated that he welcomes party diplomacy, but Taiwan-US exchanges are primarily through government channels, with party and parliamentary diplomacy as supplementary. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150511
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The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee reviewed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' budget proposal for the 115th fiscal year this morning. Lin Chia-lung attended and responded to questions.
Regarding media concerns about whether the US is disappointed that the Legislative Yuan passed an arms procurement bill with a ceiling of NT$780 billion, completely excluding commercial procurement and commissioned projects, Lin Chia-lung stated that how Taiwan demonstrates its self-defense resolve and capabilities is naturally reflected in its national defense budget. He noted that the formulation of the national defense budget, especially the Executive Yuan's version of the special act (NT$1.25 trillion over 8 years), has its overall integrity.
Lin Chia-lung mentioned that the Executive Yuan's version responds to the US Indo-Pacific strategy, and Taiwan plays a key role in the first island chain. Therefore, the US hopes that Taiwan's parliament will provide a remedy and that cross-party cooperation will enable the defense budget to support security policies, as Taiwan's shield, the development of unmanned aircraft and vessels, and system integration are all indispensable parts of overall national defense.
Lin Chia-lung emphasized that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region is a common goal for Taiwan and like-minded countries, but it is necessary to demonstrate self-defense capabilities to deter aggression, especially given the Chinese Communist Party's military buildup, war preparations, and authoritarian expansion that bypasses the first island chain. This is also why like-minded countries want to maintain the peaceful and stable status quo, while also strengthening national defense capabilities and enhancing cooperation among democratic island nations.
Regarding the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting (US President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping), Lin Chia-lung said in an interview before the meeting that the government is closely monitoring the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting and has maintained continuous communication with the US side. He expressed confidence in the stable development of Taiwan-US relations, whether through public statements or private communications from the US government, and the US government has repeatedly stated that its Taiwan policy will not change.
As for issues such as KMT Chair Cheng Li-wen's visit to the US, Lin Chia-lung stated that he welcomes party diplomacy, but Taiwan-US exchanges are primarily through government channels, with party and parliamentary diplomacy as supplementary. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150511
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