DPP Names Chiang Wan-an, Lee Ssu-chuan, Alleging Blue-White Coalition's Drone Budget Cuts Harm Taipei and New Taipei Firms
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) stated today that the KMT and TPP's joint cuts to the national defense budget are directly impacting the burgeoning drone industry, with businesses in Taipei and New Taipei particularly affected. The DPP criticized Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and New Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Ssu-chuan for their evasive responses on the matter.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 12:59
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 13:32 (32 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 14:33 (1h 1m after Collected)
Central News Agency, Taipei, 14th - The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) stated today that there are over 200 drone companies in counties and cities governed by the blue and white coalitions, with Taipei and New Taipei being the top two hubs for the drone industry. The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have jointly slashed NT$470 billion from the special defense budget, directly impacting the burgeoning drone industry. Businesses in Taipei and New Taipei are also suffering, yet Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and New Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Ssu-chuan have been repeatedly evasive on the issue.
The DPP posted on Facebook, pointing out that the KMT and TPP's joint cut of NT$470 billion from the special defense budget, by eliminating 'commercial procurement' and 'commissioned manufacturing,' not only significantly weakens national defense capabilities but also directly strikes Taiwan's forming drone industry, harming businesses in Taipei and New Taipei. 'Chiang Wan-an and Lee Ssu-chuan don't even dare to support the industrial development of their own cities. How can they have the nerve to talk about being public servants and running for mayor?'
The DPP said that there are over 200 drone companies in blue-white governed counties and cities, with Taipei and New Taipei ranking as the top two industrial hubs. New Taipei City has 52 key drone companies, the highest number in the country, focusing on R&D of key technologies. Now that the budget is affected, Lee Ssu-chuan, who is running for mayor, remains indifferent. Taipei City has 43 key drone companies, the second-highest in the country, highly linked with the 'non-red supply chain' and military-industrial contracts. When the budget was cut, Chiang Wan-an evaded a response.
The DPP stated that the development of drones is a top priority for modern defense and a key industry that the world is competing to achieve breakthroughs in. According to the Ministry of National Defense's plan, in addition to military purchases from the US, the domestic drone industry should be developed simultaneously, allowing Taiwan to not only enhance its defense capabilities but also to enter the global democratic camp's supply chain. The blue-white coalition, on one hand, says that strengthening defense 'will send Taiwanese to the battlefield,' and on the other, cuts the entire budget for drones that reduce casualties. On one hand, they shout 'don't send money to foreign countries,' and on the other, they directly cut off opportunities for Taiwanese industries.
The DPP emphasized that what the blue-white coalition cut is not just a budget, but Taiwan's soaring drone industry. The KMT's crude cuts are harming the development opportunities of their own governed counties and cities, especially in Taipei and New Taipei. Just last year, Taipei City established a 'Drone Education Center,' where then-Mayor and Deputy Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Lee Ssu-chuan declared 'industry-government-academia cooperation to cultivate drone talent.' Now, when asked if they support drones, the two can only equivocate and constantly evade. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150514
The DPP posted on Facebook, pointing out that the KMT and TPP's joint cut of NT$470 billion from the special defense budget, by eliminating 'commercial procurement' and 'commissioned manufacturing,' not only significantly weakens national defense capabilities but also directly strikes Taiwan's forming drone industry, harming businesses in Taipei and New Taipei. 'Chiang Wan-an and Lee Ssu-chuan don't even dare to support the industrial development of their own cities. How can they have the nerve to talk about being public servants and running for mayor?'
The DPP said that there are over 200 drone companies in blue-white governed counties and cities, with Taipei and New Taipei ranking as the top two industrial hubs. New Taipei City has 52 key drone companies, the highest number in the country, focusing on R&D of key technologies. Now that the budget is affected, Lee Ssu-chuan, who is running for mayor, remains indifferent. Taipei City has 43 key drone companies, the second-highest in the country, highly linked with the 'non-red supply chain' and military-industrial contracts. When the budget was cut, Chiang Wan-an evaded a response.
The DPP stated that the development of drones is a top priority for modern defense and a key industry that the world is competing to achieve breakthroughs in. According to the Ministry of National Defense's plan, in addition to military purchases from the US, the domestic drone industry should be developed simultaneously, allowing Taiwan to not only enhance its defense capabilities but also to enter the global democratic camp's supply chain. The blue-white coalition, on one hand, says that strengthening defense 'will send Taiwanese to the battlefield,' and on the other, cuts the entire budget for drones that reduce casualties. On one hand, they shout 'don't send money to foreign countries,' and on the other, they directly cut off opportunities for Taiwanese industries.
The DPP emphasized that what the blue-white coalition cut is not just a budget, but Taiwan's soaring drone industry. The KMT's crude cuts are harming the development opportunities of their own governed counties and cities, especially in Taipei and New Taipei. Just last year, Taipei City established a 'Drone Education Center,' where then-Mayor and Deputy Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Lee Ssu-chuan declared 'industry-government-academia cooperation to cultivate drone talent.' Now, when asked if they support drones, the two can only equivocate and constantly evade. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150514