Puma Shen: Legislative Yuan's Performance on Military Procurement Bills Could Erode International Trust

(CNA, Taipei, 20th) President Lai Ching-te delivered his second-anniversary address today. In response, DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen said that while diplomacy must continue to stand with international allies, gaining international trust is crucial, and the Legislative Yuan's performance on military procurement bills is actually very damaging to that trust. At noon, Shen visited the DPP caucus in the Taipei City Council, accompanied by DPP legislators Wu Szu-yao and Wu Pei-yi, and the chairman of the DPP's Taipei City chapter, Chang Mao-nan, with many party councilors in attendance. When asked for his views on President Lai's second-anniversary address during a joint media interview, Shen said that for citizens, the president's domestic policies and diplomacy are likely the most tangible. Regarding diplomacy, the government must certainly continue to stand with international allies, and what is greatly needed now is to gain international trust. However, Shen expressed concern that the Legislative Yuan's recent performance on military procurement bills is, in fact, very damaging to trust. He added that the government's diplomatic corps has been consistently maintaining trust with the international community, and he hopes this issue will not be overlooked. On domestic issues, Shen said that the public is most concerned about the economy and people's livelihoods. As President Lai mentioned high economic growth, it should not be confined to specific industries but should act as a leader to drive other sectors. Shen stated that he will subsequently propose policies to assist "sandwich" families, who care for both aging parents and young children. Furthermore, in his second-anniversary address, President Lai announced that to address the issue of low birthrates, the government has decided to provide a growth allowance of NT$5,000 per person per month for individuals aged 0 to 18. Shen said this policy is intended to reduce the burden and costs for parents. However, after the age of 18, it is no longer a matter of parental burden and costs, but whether local governments can lead young people forward. Shen stated that, as mentioned in his candidacy announcement, he plans to set up a fund for young people to strive in the city. This would connect with the central government's policy, with the central government first providing relief from the pressures of child-rearing, and then the local government taking over to push young people onto the international stage. This, he said, is what Taipei City can achieve in the future. (Editor: Hsiao Po-wen) 1150520