TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National security transcends party lines, KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) said at an event on Sunday.

In response to DPP lawmakers calling on the KMT to take national security issues seriously and amend relevant laws, Chu said the KMT places the utmost importance on national security, CNA reported. He said safeguarding Taiwan was a shared responsibility and that any security–related bills or budgets beneficial to the country would receive the KMT’s full support, regardless of one's political standpoint.

In January, the KMT and TPP voted to freeze half of the NT$2 billion (US$65.31 million) budget for Taiwan’s domestic submarine construction program and reduce budgets for military equipment and facilities by 3%. They also halved the foreign ministry’s operating expenses.

During a televised debate for the KMT chair election on Saturday, candidates said they were open to meeting Chinese leaders if talks were held under principles of equality and mutual respect.

Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said he would meet Chinese officials only “on the basis of mutual respect and goodwill.” He said that cross-strait peace and stability were Taiwan’s “best form of defense.”

KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said he would resume dialogue with China and continue exchanges within the framework of the Constitution and based on the so-called 1992 Consensus. Lo also hoped for another meeting between a KMT chair and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Chu hoped the six candidates running in the party’s leadership race would help make the KMT more united and stronger. “For me, what matters is that everyone works hard and that the next chair is elected smoothly,” he said.

The KMT chair election is scheduled for Saturday.