The large-scale cuts and freezes proposed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party during deliberations over this year’s central government budget have caused government agencies to face unprecedented operational challenges.
Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics data showed that the freezes alone amount to NT$138.1 billion (US$4.21 billion) — about 4.6 percent of the total budget — which is nearly nine times higher than the average NT$14 billion freeze of the past three years.
Such excessive freezes are no longer in the realm of fiscal oversight — rather, they are more akin to indirect budget cuts meant to slash the basic operating funds of government agencies.
The budget freezes target specific agencies and projects, demonstrating clear political motive. The Control Yuan’s operating expenses were frozen by 96 percent, the Office of the President’s operating expenses were frozen by 73 percent and the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee’s budget was slashed by 90 percent. In addition, travel expenses to China were uniformly cut by 80 percent, expenses for overseas travel and educational training were reduced by 60 percent and media policy and business promotion expenses were cut by 60 percent.
The cuts and freezes are not adjustments based on specific agencies’ operational requirements, they are part of a tactic to prevent certain departments from performing their duties.
What is even more inconceivable is that the conditions for unfreezing most frozen budgets are excessively rigid and difficult to meet. Therefore, these “frozen” funds have effectively been cut. Some agencies’ frozen funds require that they be released only after completing specific legislative procedures or meeting highly uncertain conditions, which undoubtedly creates significant obstacles to administrative operations.
When the funds of government agencies are effectively cut, certain policies cannot be implemented. Therefore, the public is who would ultimately suffer. Whether it is public services, international exchanges or even basic administrative functions, all could face severe effects.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said that such large-scale budget freezes have already transcended the scope of fiscal oversight, effectively weakening the operating capacity of the central government and posing a serious threat to the promotion and advancement of major national policies.
He said that budget deliberations should be conducted on a foundation of rationality and professionalism, not be used as a tool for political battles.
The large-scale budget freezes would have significant negative effects on government operations and the provision of public services. While budget oversight is undoubtedly important, excessive budget intervention that jeopardizes the normal operations of administrative departments not only affects government efficiency, but also harms the rights and interests of the public.
Fiscal deliberations must return to the ideals of professionalism and rationality to ensure the effective operation of government agencies. Only in that way can the original purpose of budget planning — to serve the nation and its citizens — be realized, rather than becoming nothing more than a means of political manipulation.
Edwin Yang is an associate professor at the College of International Studies and Social Sciences of National Taiwan Normal University.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
The cancelation this week of President William Lai’s (賴清德) state visit to Eswatini, after the Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius revoked overflight permits under Chinese pressure, is one more measure of Taiwan’s shrinking executive diplomatic space. Another channel that deserves attention keeps growing while the first contracts. For several years now, Taipei has been one of Europe’s busiest legislative destinations. Where presidents and foreign ministers cannot land, parliamentarians do — and they do it in rising numbers. The Italian parliament opened the year with its largest bipartisan delegation to Taiwan to date: six Italian deputies and one senator, drawn from six
Recently, Taipei’s streets have been plagued by the bizarre sight of rats running rampant and the city government’s countermeasures have devolved into an anti-intellectual farce. The Taipei Parks and Street Lights Office has attempted to eradicate rats by filling their burrows with polyurethane foam, seeming to believe that rats could not simply dig another path out. Meanwhile, as the nation’s capital slowly deteriorates into a rat hive, the Taipei Department of Environmental Protection has proudly pointed to the increase in the number of poisoned rats reported in February and March as a sign of success. When confronted with public concerns over young
Taiwan and India are important partners, yet this reality is increasingly being overshadowed in current debates. At a time when Taiwan-India relations are at a crossroads, with clear potential for deeper engagement and cooperation, the labor agreement signed in February 2024 has become a source of friction. The proposal to bring in 1,000 migrant workers from India is already facing significant resistance, with a petition calling for its “indefinite suspension” garnering more than 40,000 signatures. What should have been a straightforward and practical step forward has instead become controversial. The agreement had the potential to serve as a milestone in
China has long given assurances that it would not interfere in free access to the global commons. As one Ministry of Defense spokesperson put it in 2024, “the Chinese side always respects the freedom of navigation and overflight entitled to countries under international law.” Although these reassurances have always been disingenuous, China’s recent actions display a blatant disregard for these principles. Countries that care about civilian air safety should take note. In April, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) canceled a planned trip to Eswatini for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s coronation and the 58th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic
RSS