The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) can hardly reach a consensus on the arms procurement bill. Under the leadership of KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), the party proposed a “NT$380 billion (US$12 billion) plus N” plan — with “N” referring to additional funds in the future. Meanwhile, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) proposed a budget ranging from NT$800 billion to NT$1 trillion.
In addition, former KMT chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) proposed a budget of NT$900 billion, while KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) and a group of lawmakers also called for a budget of NT$800 billion, which was vetoed by KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁).
Later, KMT Vice Chairman Chi Lin-lien (季麟連), a retired general, criticized Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) at the party’s Central Standing Committee meeting, saying that if Han “betrays the party for personal gains” by supporting the call for NT$800 billion, the party’s Huang Fu-hsing (黃復興) faction would “place justice before one’s own family,” demanding Han be expelled from the party.
Broadcasting Corp of China chairman Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康), a KMT heavyweight, challenged Chi publicly to “fire me first.”
Chu’s and Lu’s supporters slammed Chi and party leadership, showing that the arms procurement case has already brought the KMT’s power struggles to the forefront. In 2024, after then-KMT chairman Chu announced the dissolution of the Huang Fu-hsing faction and its merger into the party’s Department of Organizational Development, then-faction head Chi tendered his resignation immediately.
Unexpectedly, after Cheng was elected chairwoman, she stabbed Chu in the back by appointing Chi as vice chairman.
Chi has resorted to leveraging the Huang Fu-hsing faction to intimidate others, acting just like Cheng’s executioner.
Chu and Lu, who maintain good relations with the American Institute in Taiwan, understand that the arms procurement budget should not fall below NT$800 billion. After Lu’s visit to Washington in March, she even proposed to raise it to NT$1 trillion.
The tactful Han is aware of the underlying logic, and is standing with the majority stance of Chu, Lu and Hsu, while maintaining an ambiguous relationship with the KMT leadership — a political strategy full of calculations.
Endorsed by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) externally and the KMT’s Huang Fu-hsing faction internally, it remains uncertain whether Cheng’s chairmanship is stable or her chance of securing a presidential nomination is high. However, her insistence on a “NT$380 billion plus N” plan not only represents a minority stance within the party, but also contradicts the fundamental beliefs of the majority of Taiwanese.
If Cheng continues to push her plan stubbornly, the party would inevitably split apart. In that case, her ambitious presidential dream would be out of reach.
Tien Feng-wen is a civil servant.
Translated by Eddy Chang
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