TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) proposed cutting NT$100 million (US$3.1 million) from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy's budget during a legislative committee meeting Wednesday.
Citing foundation rules barring funding for activities related to unification, independence or authoritarian regimes, Wang proposed reducing the foreign ministry's subsidy to the foundation from NT$248.3 million to NT$148.3 million, per Tai Sounds.
Wang criticized the KMT for applying for foundation funding for a trip to China by KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), during which she met Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He insisted on the NT$100 million reduction, saying there was no room for negotiation.
Foundation President Liao Da-chi (廖達琪) urged Wang to reconsider, noting that the funding application for Cheng's trip is still under review by the foundation's board, per UDN. She added that Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), who serves as the foundation's vice chair, is aware of the matter.
Liao said the proposed cuts would not affect the NT$30 million allocated to political parties. Instead, she warned, they could force the foundation to halt its Track II diplomacy initiatives.
Liao suggested freezing NT$10 million of the budget and requiring additional reports before releasing the funds. KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) said the party had no position on Wang's proposal and suggested he discuss the matter with the foreign ministry, per ETtoday.
Lin urged Wang to defer the issue to cross-caucus negotiations. Wang agreed, leaving the foundation's final budget subject to further negotiations.
