Taiwan Legislature To Hold Fourth Defense Act Negotiation

Negotiations between ruling and opposition party groups in Taiwan regarding the National Defense Special Act draft have failed to reach a consensus. Political groups in the Taiwan Legislative Yuan have failed to reach a consensus regarding the draft of the Special Defense Act. Taiwanese legislative groups failed to reach a consensus during an 80-minute caucus meeting on Tuesday regarding the defense budget. Legislative groups held an 80-minute meeting but failed to reach consensus on the defense budget, which is debated between 380 billion TWD and 800 billion TWD. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Wu Cheng expressed support for the 1.25 trillion won special defense budget following a meeting of the party's central standing committee. DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng stated after a party meeting that the proposal has received consistent domestic and international affirmation. The Ministry of National Defense noted the draft underwent professional planning and multiple discussions with the United States. The bill is intended to strengthen national sovereignty and defense capabilities. While the original proposal was set at 380 billion TWD, reports suggest legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin proposed an 800 billion TWD version within the Kuomintang (KMT) party. The bill seeks to ensure security through cross-party consensus. Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leaders, including Party Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen and Caucus Convener Fu Kun-chi, are reportedly seeking to revise a defense bill to a 380 billion TWD version. The Legislative Yuan in Taiwan is scheduled to conduct its fourth round of negotiations regarding the Defense Special Act next Wednesday.