KMT candidate's drone policy called 'hellish joke' by rival; campaign cries 'smear'

New Taipei City Councilor Yan Wei-tzu has sharply criticized Kuomintang (KMT) mayoral candidate Lee Ssu-chuan's policy proposals for developing the drone and AI industries, labeling them a "hellish joke." Yan pointed out the apparent contradiction in the KMT's stance, noting that the KMT legislative caucus had recently slashed budgets for related sectors.

Lee's campaign office, through spokesperson Kuo Yin-lan, vehemently denied Yan's accusations, calling them "rumors and smears." The office asserted that Lee had immediately expressed support for drone development and believed the KMT caucus consistently prioritized enhancing national defense capabilities. Kuo accused Yan of being uninformed and engaging in baseless attacks.

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The KMT legislative caucus had recently slashed budgets for related sectors. Lee Ssu-chuan's proposal to develop drones and AI in New Taipei is a hellish joke?

Yan Wei-tzu highlighted that Taiwan has 267 drone supply chain companies, with 52 based in New Taipei. She questioned Lee's proposal to develop drones and AI in the city, given the KMT caucus's recent budget cuts, suggesting it was a nonsensical joke. She urged Lee's camp to focus on proposing concrete drone policies rather than resorting to smear tactics.

In response, Kuo Yin-lan stated that Yan was misinformed and deliberately misleading the public. She claimed the KMT's proposed defense budget, including subsidies for the domestic drone industry, exceeded the executive yuan's version. The campaign office urged Yan to instead focus on her own party's candidate, Su Chiao-hui, and encourage her to present specific drone policies.

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Yan Wei-tzu is clearly confused and only spreads rumors and smears without doing her homework. Lee Ssu-chuan publicly supported drone development from the outset.