The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on Friday used their legislative majority to push their version of a special defense budget bill to fund the purchase of US military equipment, with the combined spending capped at NT$780 billion (US$24.78 billion). The bill, which fell short of the Executive Yuan’s NT$1.25 trillion request, was passed by a 59-0 margin with 48 abstentions in the 113-seat legislature. KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), who reportedly met with TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) for a private meeting before holding a joint post-vote news conference, was said to have mobilized her party to push for more drastic cuts. She denied that the KMT was attempting to hinder arms procurement.“It is impossible for us to just blankly authorize the entire package,” she said in an interview with CNN, calling the Cabinet’s original proposal “very vague.”Huang separately said that the cuts were made to guard against “government waste,” as both parties believe in “protecting taxpayer money.”Was the KMT-TPP alliance really trying to protect taxpayers’ wallets by not letting the government blindly spend public funds?
The watered-down defense budget not only creates a huge gap in total spending, but also largely limits procurement items. A government official said that the US is highly concerned about the “asymmetric capabilities” that were excluded, as NT$480 billion was cut from the Cabinet’s proposal. The US believes the gaps must be filled to maintain the integrity of Taiwan’s defense systems and to ensure no critical capabilities are ignored, the official said. An American Institute in Taiwan spokesperson urged swift approval of the remaining funds needed for drones, and integrated air and missile defense systems, adding that any delay in the investments would weaken Taiwan’s security and play into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A US Department of State spokesperson warned that further delays in funding the remaining proposed capabilities would be a concession to China. The CCP has long opposed US arms sales to Taiwan. In what seems to be a coincidence, KMT Vice Chairman Chang Jung-kung (張榮恭) on Monday met with Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Wang Huning (王滬寧), the CCP’s fourth-ranked leader, in Beijing. Speaking of Cheng’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) last month, Wang said that Xi had pointed out a “correct” understanding of the cross-strait relationship that “clarifies” its direction, and promotes “unification” and encourages rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Chang echoed Wang by saying that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese, which provides a “pragmatic foundation” for communication and negotiation. He also said that the legal systems on both sides of the Strait are based on a “one China” framework, calling it a “clear reality.”It was not the first time that the KMT has openly embraced the “one China” framework. Cheng has reiterated that the party upholds the so-called “1992 consensus” to promote cross-strait exchanges and safeguard peace in the Strait.“It may seem that I have a common language with Xi Jinping, but because there are so many differences between the two sides of the Strait, it is critical that we find a common foundation,” Cheng told CNN. “I believe this is the only way where we can avoid war.”Nevertheless, she recognized that war is possible.“If Taiwan pursues independence, yes, they have expressed that they will use military force,” Cheng said. Calling the first island chain, which includes Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, a Cold War-era concept, Cheng instead called for a “chain of peace and prosperity,” according to a KMT statement on the interview. The KMT is not just threatening Taiwanese with a brutal war should they refuse to accept the “one China” framework, but also echoing Beijing’s efforts to expand its influence in the region and intimidate US allies who are also friends of Taiwan. How dare Cheng call her party a “solid staunch supporter of Taiwan’s national defense”?Meanwhile, US Representative Young Kim has introduced a bill to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan, calling for an interagency “tiger team” to coordinate sanctions and economic measures in response to possible Chinese military or political action against Taiwan. Kim said that Xi has directed the Chinese People’s Liberation Army to be ready to invade Taiwan by next year. Who is a friend and who is a foe? The answer is crystal clear.