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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

KMT's drone bill slammed as unconstitutional, appeasing China

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A lawyer criticized the Kuomintang's proposed drone development bill, calling it unconstitutional and a hindrance to national defense.
  • The bill allocates NT$240 billion over six years for drone research and development, to be included in the annual government budget.
  • The lawyer alleges the KMT is 'playing fake games' by proposing an unexecutable budget to appease the US while serving Chinese interests and sacrificing Taiwan's security.

A lawyer has sharply criticized the Kuomintang's (KMT) proposed drone development bill, labeling it unconstitutional and a move that "caters to China" while obstructing national defense efforts. The bill, which allocates NT$240 billion (approximately US$7.4 billion) over six years for drone research, development, production, and manufacturing bases, has drawn accusations of being a political maneuver.

Lawyer Huang Di-ying stated that the KMT's version of the "Drone Development Act" requires the budget to be incorporated into the annual government budget. He argued that this violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers, as legislative bodies in democratic countries should not unilaterally increase the annual budget allocated by the executive branch. Huang believes the KMT is "playing fake games" by proposing a budget that is clearly unexecutable, aiming to appear supportive of drone policy without genuinely advancing national defense.

playing fake games

— Huang Di-yingLawyer Huang Di-ying's accusation that the KMT's drone bill is a political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to advance national defense.

Huang further suggested that this proposal serves ulterior motives. He pointed to KMT Chairwoman Charlena Cheng's recent remarks about Chinese President Xi Jinping and her claims about the importance of a "Zheng-Xi meeting." Huang contends that while the US is focused on Taiwan's defense and drone development, the KMT is introducing a "constitutional violation" in its drone bill. He alleges that the party is superficially supporting drone policy to placate the US, while actually aligning with China and compromising Taiwan's security.

The KMT's proposal outlines NT$40 billion annually for six years to establish drone research, development, production, and manufacturing facilities. Huang emphasized that knowingly proposing an unexecutable version of the bill is akin to "playing fake games." He believes this strategy aims to appease international attention, particularly from the US, while undermining Taiwan's defense capabilities and potentially serving Beijing's interests.

caters to China

— Huang Di-yingLawyer Huang Di-ying's claim that the KMT's proposed drone legislation ultimately benefits China.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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