China slams US envoy; Taiwan ex-lawmaker decries 'disgraceful' reliance on foreign aid for defense budget

Taiwan's political landscape is fraught with tension following criticism from China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) directed at the head of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Nicholas Burns. The TAO accused Burns of acting like a "supreme ruler" and pressuring Taiwan's legislature to pass a special defense budget.

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The TAO criticized AIT Director Nicholas Burns for acting like a 'supreme ruler' and pressuring the Legislative Yuan to pass the 'special defense budget.'

In response, former Taiwanese legislator Lin Cho-shui highlighted what he described as four critical crises facing Taiwan. He specifically criticized the Kuomintang (KMT) party, stating they are "soft when facing Beijing but tough when facing public opinion." Lin expressed disbelief and shame that Taiwan, amidst these crises, allegedly relies on foreign representative institutions to secure budgets vital for national security.

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Without the blessing of the 'supreme ruler' from Zhongnanhai, the KMT's special defense budget would have stopped at NT$380 billion plus N, and there would have been no NT$780 billion or additional drone budget.

Lin elaborated on these "unbelievable" crises in a social media post. He argued that with the perceived backing of Beijing, the KMT leadership has become "arrogant and invincible." He further criticized KMT legislators for being "confused and weak" when dealing with Beijing, yet "unreasonably aggressive" towards the ruling party and public opinion. Lin also pointed to Taiwan's "absurd constitutional system," which he believes prevents majority public opinion from guiding national policy, and criticized the ruling party's "incompetent" political maneuvering.

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With the blessing of the 'supreme ruler' from Zhongnanhai, the KMT central leadership is arrogantly invincible.

Lin lamented that Taiwan's national security budget, essential for the island's survival, could only pass with the alleged endorsement of a foreign institution. He described this situation as an "unbelievable crisis" and an "unbelievable disgrace," adding that the political circles seem more focused on mutual anger than on addressing these fundamental issues. He concluded that Taiwan, unfortunately, requires such disgraces to ensure its security.

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KMT legislators are confused and weak when facing Zhongnanhai, but unreasonably aggressive when facing the ruling party and majority public opinion.