TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday criticized lawmakers for delaying Taiwan’s annual budget and called for clear agency roles in military drone programs, CNA reported.
Speaking at a meeting with small business representatives, Lai said political competition is normal in a democracy, but should not harm the public or national interests.
Lai said he had never seen such a long budget delay during his four terms as a legislator. He urged lawmakers not to allow political disputes to disrupt government operations.
The president also criticized an opposition proposal to place military drone procurement funds under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He said the Ministry of National Defense should oversee purchases because it determines the military’s drone requirements.
The economics ministry should instead help companies develop technology and increase production, Lai said. Placing military procurement funds under the ministry would blur the responsibilities of the two agencies, he added.
Lai said the government submitted a separate drone procurement proposal after lawmakers removed drone funding from an earlier special defense budget. The government continued the plan because drones are important to both national security and industrial development, he said.
The government has also proposed six years of funding to help small and medium-sized businesses enter the drone industry, Lai said. However, opposition lawmakers have proposed cutting that support, he added.
Lai then turned to government plans to help smaller companies join Taiwan’s defense supply chain. Taiwan’s 1.71 million small and micro businesses provide more than 80% of the country’s jobs, he said.
The government will help these businesses adopt AI, upgrade equipment, train workers, and conduct research, Lai said. These measures are intended to improve their competitiveness and ability to enter new industries.
Lai said local businesses should join Taiwan’s drone, robotics, and defense supply chains. Their participation would support economic growth while strengthening national security, he said.
