TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Veterans Affairs Council Deputy Minister Lee Wen-chung (李文忠) on Friday urged the DPP to discuss with opposition parties the NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget rather than portraying critics as aligned with the CCP.
Lee said that while some opposition figures appeared to place blame on Taiwan for rising cross-strait tensions, the government should also recognize constructive feedback, per Newtalk. He highlighted statements from Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), and the TPP legislative caucus, which expressed support for strengthening national defense while insisting on greater oversight.
Lee added that the KMT’s focus on improving benefits for active-duty personnel should be taken seriously. He called on both sides of Taiwan’s China policy debate to meet and build a consensus on cross-strait strategy.
DPP caucus director Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) defended the special budget, comparing increased defense spending to a family purchasing a safe for protection, per ETtoday. He said Taiwan is following a broader global trend of rising military budgets among democracies.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has framed the plan as a deterrent, arguing that China must face higher costs when considering the use of force, per CNA. Lai said Beijing must view the price of potential conflict as higher than the cost of preserving peace.
Former Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), however, sharply criticized the proposal, saying that “if a nation spends all its money on weapons, what is the point of living?”
She argued Taiwan should prioritize efforts to prevent war rather than funneling money into the US defense industry, and said the world must understand what it stands to lose if China takes Taiwan, per Storm Media.
The KMT countered that despite the DPP nearly tripling the defense budget compared to the last KMT administration, Beijing has not reduced military pressure. KMT caucus Secretary-General Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said increased spending has neither deterred Chinese aircraft from crossing the Taiwan Strait’s median line nor preserved Taiwan’s strategic depth, per CNA.
KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) warned that with the most intensive spending concentrated in the first four years, defense expenditures could rise to 4.5% of GDP, per NOWNews. She said such levels could consume nearly half of Taiwan’s annual budget, leaving education and social programs underfunded.
Hsu also pointed to delays in the delivery of already purchased F-16V fighter jets as a sign Taiwan must reassess the cost-effectiveness of large-scale procurement.
KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) echoed Hsu, noting that when combined with other special budgets and the government’s 2026 proposals, borrowing could exceed NT$500 billion — surpassing legal limits, per CNA. The special budget plan, however, states that borrowing would be exempt from existing caps.
Hsu added that while rising cross-strait tensions require stronger defense, Taiwan must determine whether devoting such a large share of public spending to the military is sustainable. She argued Taiwan should prioritize improving benefits and conditions for soldiers to boost recruitment.
KMT Deputy Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) called for Lai to brief lawmakers directly, saying contracts with foreign entities are legally required to seek legislative approval, per CMedia. DPP Legislator Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) welcomed the idea, emphasizing that such a briefing must be conducted with respect.
