While welcoming the Legislative Yuan’s approval of a supplementary defense budget, the US Department of State said that further delays to Taiwan military spending are a “concession” to China.
The remarks came after the legislature on Friday passed the budget bill to fund the purchase of separate packages of military equipment from the US, with total spending capped at NT$780 billion (US$24.82 billion).
One package allocates NT$300 billion for arms sales approved by the US for Taiwan on Dec. 17 last year, while the other sets aside NT$480 billion for an arms package expected to be announced by Washington.
Photo: I-Hwa Cheng, AFP
The bill, which fell short of the NT$1.25 trillion requested by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party government, passed by a 59-0 margin with 48 abstentions in the 113-seat legislature.
The opposition said that while it supports defense spending, it would not sign “blank checks,” adding that the Cabinet’s proposal was vague in places and could open the door to corruption.
A US state department spokesperson said Washington supports Taiwan’s acquisition of critical defense capabilities “commensurate with the threat it faces” and consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and more than 45 years of commitment across multiple US administrations.
“While we are encouraged by the passage of this special defense budget after unhelpful stalling, the United States notes that further delays in funding the remaining proposed capabilities are a concession to the Chinese Communist Party [CCP],” the spokesperson said.
The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and has supported increased military spending. Beijing has repeatedly demanded an end to weapons sales.
In a joint statement, Democratic US Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican US Senator John Curtis also welcomed the move, saying it would bolster Taiwan’s deterrence capabilities against growing aggression from the People’s Republic of China.
“Taiwan’s approval of this supplementary defense budget sends a strong signal of resolve at a critical moment for peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific,” they said.
The vote shows Taiwan is taking seriously the urgent need to strengthen its defenses amid growing Chinese military coercion and pressure campaigns, they added.
Taiwan’s investment in long-term deterrence demonstrates the nation’s unity and preparedness, the senators said.
“We also look forward to additional steps by Taiwan’s leaders to further strengthen investments in asymmetric capabilities and domestic defense production, which remain essential to long-term deterrence,” they added.
In Taipei, an American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) spokesperson said it welcomes the approval of the special defense budget and urged swift passage of the remaining funds needed for drones and integrated air and missile defense systems.
Any delay in these investments would weaken Taiwan’s security and play into the hands of the CCP, the spokesperson said.
A Taiwanese defense official yesterday said the US is highly concerned about the portions of investment in “asymmetric capabilities” that were excluded, describing Washington’s message as “very strong.”
While the US welcomed Friday’s approved NT$780 billion defense budget, the original comprehensive plan was underfunded after NT$480 billion was cut from it, said the official who declined to be named.
The US believes the remaining gaps must be filled to maintain the integrity of Taiwan’s full defense systems and ensure no critical capabilities are left out, they said.
Bolstering long-term deterrence is essential for countering China’s growing military pressure and preserving the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, they added.
Additional reporting by Su Yung-yao
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