National Defense Special Act Criticized for Being Discounted, Premier Cho Jung-tai: Will Seek Supplementation from Legislative Yuan
Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai stated his intention to lobby the Legislative Yuan to supplement the National Defense Special Act, which was reduced by the opposition, including drone-related items. He emphasized the importance of national security and called for domestic and international cooperation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 12:29
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 13:02 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 13:08 (6 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Yang-yu, Taipei, 12th) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Yi-chin today questioned how to remedy the National Defense Special Act, which was passed on its third reading but was "discounted" by the opposition and had its drone-related items cut. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that he would ask international allies to give Taiwan more time, call on the domestic military industry to cooperate with the government, and seek the most advantageous path to lobby the Legislative Yuan for supplementation.
Under the numerical advantage of the Blue and White (KMT and TPP) parties, the Legislative Yuan passed the National Defense Special Act on its third reading on the 8th, allocating a maximum of NT$780 billion, but excluding commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing items.
The Legislative Yuan continued its general interpellation session this morning. Legislator Lin Yi-chin questioned that China's silent invasion of Taiwan has already begun, and China even said it would not allow Taiwan to participate in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA), while the opposition parties in Taiwan cut all drone industry items.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that Taiwan has reached a point where it can discuss entering the international chain of the military industry. Therefore, the Executive Yuan proposed a draft National Defense Special Act of NT$1.25 trillion over 8 years, divided into three parts: the Shield of Taiwan to protect Taiwan, a precision strike chain, and strengthening Taiwan's military-industrial related domestic industries, which is particularly important.
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that national security cannot be delayed, cooperation with the international community cannot be postponed, and the development of Taiwan's military industry cannot be abandoned. However, this crucial part was missing from the National Defense Special Act passed by the Legislative Yuan this time.
Premier Cho Jung-tai then stated that he hopes the ruling and opposition parties can unite to safeguard national sovereignty. He believes that political parties can compete domestically, but they should cooperate on national sovereignty and security, which will earn Taiwan more trust from the international community and foster more cooperation.
Legislator Lin Yi-chin then said that China's aggression against Taiwan is divided into two major axes: military and narrative. Now that the National Defense Special Act has been "broken" by the Blue and White parties, what concrete actions will the Executive Yuan take to restore public confidence and international trust in Taiwan?
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that the first part is to explain to international allies, asking them for more patience and time to allow Taiwan to complete its domestic procedures. The other is to call on domestic military-industrial related industries to step forward and cooperate closely with the government to propose long-term planning for their industrial development needs.
Premier Cho Jung-tai also said that the Executive Yuan will inventory the deficiencies and shortfalls (NT$470 billion) and, in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and the provisions of the Budget Act, seek the most advantageous path in terms of content, procedure, and timeliness among various remedies, and then propose to the Legislative Yuan to supplement the most important piece of these three puzzles. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150512
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Yang-yu, Taipei, 12th) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Yi-chin today questioned how to remedy the National Defense Special Act, which was passed on its third reading but was "discounted" by the opposition and had its drone-related items cut. Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that he would ask international allies to give Taiwan more time, call on the domestic military industry to cooperate with the government, and seek the most advantageous path to lobby the Legislative Yuan for supplementation.
Under the numerical advantage of the Blue and White (KMT and TPP) parties, the Legislative Yuan passed the National Defense Special Act on its third reading on the 8th, allocating a maximum of NT$780 billion, but excluding commercial procurement and commissioned manufacturing items.
The Legislative Yuan continued its general interpellation session this morning. Legislator Lin Yi-chin questioned that China's silent invasion of Taiwan has already begun, and China even said it would not allow Taiwan to participate in the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA), while the opposition parties in Taiwan cut all drone industry items.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that Taiwan has reached a point where it can discuss entering the international chain of the military industry. Therefore, the Executive Yuan proposed a draft National Defense Special Act of NT$1.25 trillion over 8 years, divided into three parts: the Shield of Taiwan to protect Taiwan, a precision strike chain, and strengthening Taiwan's military-industrial related domestic industries, which is particularly important.
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that national security cannot be delayed, cooperation with the international community cannot be postponed, and the development of Taiwan's military industry cannot be abandoned. However, this crucial part was missing from the National Defense Special Act passed by the Legislative Yuan this time.
Premier Cho Jung-tai then stated that he hopes the ruling and opposition parties can unite to safeguard national sovereignty. He believes that political parties can compete domestically, but they should cooperate on national sovereignty and security, which will earn Taiwan more trust from the international community and foster more cooperation.
Legislator Lin Yi-chin then said that China's aggression against Taiwan is divided into two major axes: military and narrative. Now that the National Defense Special Act has been "broken" by the Blue and White parties, what concrete actions will the Executive Yuan take to restore public confidence and international trust in Taiwan?
Premier Cho Jung-tai pointed out that the first part is to explain to international allies, asking them for more patience and time to allow Taiwan to complete its domestic procedures. The other is to call on domestic military-industrial related industries to step forward and cooperate closely with the government to propose long-term planning for their industrial development needs.
Premier Cho Jung-tai also said that the Executive Yuan will inventory the deficiencies and shortfalls (NT$470 billion) and, in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and the provisions of the Budget Act, seek the most advantageous path in terms of content, procedure, and timeliness among various remedies, and then propose to the Legislative Yuan to supplement the most important piece of these three puzzles. (Edited by Su Lung-chi) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "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.