Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan suddenly threw out his political views on the relocation of Songshan Airport. The Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee reported today (14th) that Yang Guofeng, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Transportation, responded to legislator Wang Dingyu and confirmed that the Taipei City Government has not put forward any suggestions for relocating or abolishing Songshan Airport in the past four years, or applied for budget subsidies for planning studies. The relocation plan was originally proposed during the term of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wenzhe, but the Chiang Kai-shek City Government did not at all. Yang Guofeng also pointed out that the "Songshan International Airport 2040 Master Plan" approved in November 2023 defined Songshan Airport as the capital's international business airport and domestic air transportation service hub. At that time, the Taipei City Government had no objection or opinion.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Dingyu asked whether the Taipei City Government and other relevant units were consulted before the 2040 overall plan was approved. Yang Guofeng said that the 2040 overall plan was approved in 2012. At that time, "we had three plans, one for Songshan, one for Taichung, and one for Kaohsiung." We would approach the local government with relevant issues. Wang Dingyu asked, "Did the Taipei City Government object at the time?" Yang Guofeng answered "No." Wang Dingyu asked again, and Yang Guofeng said, "They had no objection at the time."
Wang Dingyu then asked, has the Taipei City Government made any suggestions on relocating or abolishing Taipei Songshan Airport in the past four years, or applied for budget to subsidize planning studies? Yang Guofeng replied, "Not in the last four years," and "Yes when Ke Wenzhe was in office." Wang Dingyu asked, "Not at the Chiang City Government?" "Not at all?" Yang Guofeng both answered, "No."
Wang Dingyu said that during the lengthy discussion leading up to the approval in 2023, the Taipei City Government had no opinion and consent to participate. In the past four years, the Taipei City Government has not put forward any plans, ideas, or budget requirements for the relocation and abolition of Songshan Airport. "There are less than 50 days left before the vote. The removal of Songshan Airport is not a public policy discussion, nor is it an appropriate way to implement public policies."
Wang Dingyu said that this issue can be discussed, and he thinks it is good to even discuss it in a committee, but this issue is not an election issue; it especially involves national security and disaster relief. If it is used as a temporary issue in a political election, it will be unclear. He said, "As for whether it is an election issue manipulation, I just asked everyone from those two points in time. It is actually quite clear."
Wang Dingyu pointed out that this is a scientific issue. Opposite his home in Tainan is the Tainan Airport. Of course, he will see the obstruction, construction restrictions and noise from the airport. But he said that Songshan Airport brings business opportunities for people and business exchanges, including the landing of NVIDIA Huang Jen-Hsun's personal plane, and Terry Gou's special plane is also parked there, so it will bring benefits. Whether it is connecting the command posts related to Yuanshan and Hengshan, or the defense operations in the Guandu Plain, Songshan Airport has irreplaceable national defense and security needs, and it also has important needs for business transportation in the capital Taipei.
Wang Dingyu also mentioned that no one wants to happen like 0206 in Tainan or 921 in central China. But when an earthquake occurs, a large number of disaster relief helicopters and materials need to be transported. Do they all have to go to Taoyuan International Airport? Will the entire international transportation at Taoyuan International Airport be stopped? He said that the helicopter rescue team, including the current air crew, is actually based at Songshan Airport. Songshan Airport has centralized transportation and deployment functions for disaster relief, national security and defense needs, and the capital's business development needs.
In terms of national defense, Defense Minister Gu Lixiong said in response to questions that Songshan Airport is an important support node for the central defense system. During wartime, it will involve possible transportation of troops and materials, evacuation of wounded, strategic mobility and related support tasks. Wang Dingyu also asked whether the evaluation at that time included replacing the Taoyuan Air Force Base with Songshan Airport, which was closed on August 1, 2013 and has been handed over to the Taoyuan City Government. Li Qingran, chief of staff of the Air Force Command, said that the Taoyuan base is an airport for fighter jets, similar to the Hsinchu base, but has different functions from Songshan Airport. The supporting facilities have been adjusted for many years, including the replacement of new aircraft and the adjustment of the entire fleet. The airport was later released in line with major national policies. He did not remember this part.
