TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Some KMT lawmakers aligned with Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) have voiced reservations about the party’s proposed NT$380 billion (US$11.8 billion) special defense budget.
KMT Legislator Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪) said Wednesday the party’s proposal, which allocates funding after receiving US letters of offer, is not Lu’s preferred approach, per CNews. He said Lu favors a more expansive NT$810 billion proposal put forward by Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯), adding that discussions should focus on Taiwan’s defense needs.
Huang later clarified that Lu had not explicitly endorsed a specific plan but described Hsu’s proposal as more comprehensive and a solid basis for further discussion, per SETN.
Huang also said Lu’s recent visit to the US was aimed at countering perceptions that the KMT is skeptical of Washington. He added that Lu is continuing a policy line associated with former KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) of maintaining balanced relations with the US, Japan and China.
KMT Legislator Liao Wei-hsiang (廖偉翔) echoed that view, saying the party must demonstrate strong ties with the US and calling Lu’s visit tangible proof of that commitment to Taiwan-US relations, per Liberty Times.
KMT Taoyuan City Councilor Ling Tao (凌濤), a member of Chu's faction, also urged party leaders to consider Hsu’s proposal, per Mirror Media. He said the move could help counter what he described as public perceptions linking the KMT to anti-US sentiment.
KMT Culture and Communications Committee Chair Yin Nai-chin (尹乃菁) defended the party’s NT$380 billion plan. She said the plan, along with potential future allocations, offers greater flexibility as additional US arms offers emerge, per ETtoday.
KMT Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) said the caucus remains aligned with the party’s position, per SETN. He added that the proposal would help Taiwan secure needed equipment while avoiding procurement irregularities.
KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) invited lawmakers to a lunch meeting Thursday to discuss the issue, but Hsu and about one-third of those scheduled to attend were absent, per FTV.
As the party finalized its version of the special defense budget, Hsu was at odds with the party, per Tai Sounds. She initially insisted on her own proposal before later backing the party’s plan.
Commenting on the episode, Cheng said she had spoken with Hsu twice to seek her support and described internal discussions as smooth. Hsu, in response, said she respects the party leadership.
