Zhuo Rongtai: The national defense budget was reduced by 20% by the Legislative Yuan, and the Executive Yuan added additional budget to support the national army

Premier Cho Jung-tai attended the "Armed Forces Day Honor the Military Exhibition and Sale" event today (5th). In his speech, he stated that the Legislative Yuan had heavily slashed the previously budgeted NT$1.25 trillion defense budget. The Executive Yuan is now proposing a supplementary budget, hoping that the public will tell the Legislative Yuan that the Republic of China Armed Forces need strength and support, and that the responsibility to safeguard stability in the Indo-Pacific region cannot fall onto others.

Cho Jung-tai expressed his gratitude to the service members of the Armed Forces who, day and night on sea, in the air, and on land, repeatedly face provocations and intrusions from outside the borders. Holding a firm stance on national security, they uphold their crucial duty to protect the lives, freedom, and property of all people in Taiwan.

Cho Jung-tai noted that the Armed Forces are the greatest guarantee for Taiwan to enjoy its democratic and free way of life today. Today is also a deeply meaningful day, marking the 30th anniversary of direct presidential elections and the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis. Democratic politics has taken root and borne fruit, while the Armed Forces have organized a modern combat capability to defend the nation, bearing the pressure on the frontline. Therefore, the people at home must fully support them from behind.

Cho Jung-tai said that it is now necessary not only to fully boost military morale, but also to equip the Armed Forces with new weaponry. That is why the Executive Yuan drafted a special budget of NT$1.25 trillion, hoping for congressional support. Regrettably, it was heavily reduced to only NT$780 billion. "We continue to draft special statutes to provide our military brothers with the most advanced equipment that aligns with international standards, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs is also lending its support."

Cho Jung-tai stated that the Executive Yuan continues to fully allocate funds in the supplementary budget for equipment updates and weapon acquisitions over the next one to two years, proposing the full amounts as required. He hopes fellow citizens will support the Armed Forces and "tell the Legislative Yuan that the Republic of China Armed Forces need strength and support, and that the responsibility to safeguard stability in the Indo-Pacific region cannot fall onto others."

To counter China's military threats, the Executive Yuan had previously allocated several defense budgets. However, in the Legislative Yuan, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) joined forces to cut and freeze defense spending and special budgets. To avoid a gap in military development, the Executive Yuan adopted the method of "proposing supplementary budgets" to revive these critical projects, but they continue to face boycotts and obstruction from the joint forces of the KMT and TPP.