TAIPEI, May 23 — Hundreds gathered in central Taipei on Saturday to back the government's proposed defense budget increase, following the opposition-controlled parliament's decision to approve only two-thirds of the $40 billion requested by President Lai Ching-te.
TAIPEI, May 23 — Hundreds gathered in central Taipei on Saturday to back the government's proposed defense budget increase, following the opposition-controlled parliament's decision to approve only two-thirds of the $40 billion requested by President Lai Ching-te.
President Lai sought approval for a supplementary defense budget covering both U.S. weapon purchases and domestic military hardware, including drones, to boost deterrence against China, which claims the island as its territory. However, the opposition majority passed a scaled-down version this month restricted solely to U.S. arms, arguing that the government's broader plan lacked clarity and risked corruption.
Organized by various human rights and pro-independence groups, the demonstration featured participants waving flags and chanting in favor of robust military funding. Wang Hsing-huan, chairman of the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party, addressed the crowd, emphasizing that genuine peace and freedom depend entirely on a strong national defense.
The administration is currently pushing to secure the remaining funds, which includes financing for its new "T-Dome" integrated air defense system. "We need to protect ourselves against China’s expansion," said 34-year-old civil engineer Angela Yen. "China and Taiwan are two different countries."
While Taiwan’s primary opposition parties maintain they support defense spending, they refuse to grant the government a "blank check." Speaking in southern Taiwan on Saturday, Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun stated that avoiding conflict with China is a priority for everyone. According to her party, Cheng—who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month—argued that Taiwan has the resources but must avoid reckless spending, adding that the focus should be on investing in peace rather than preparing the next generation for war.
Taiwan's government continues to reject Beijing's sovereignty claims, asserting that the island's future can only be determined by its own citizens. — Reuters
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TAIPEI, May 23 — Hundreds gathered in central Taipei on Saturday to back the government's proposed defense budget increase, following the opposition-controlled parliament's decision to approve only two-thirds of the $40 billion requested by President Lai Ching-te.