Taiwan opposition blocks drone plan amid food safety row, ruling party cries foul

Taiwan's political landscape is marked by a sharp division over national security and industrial development, with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party proposing to halt a significant "unmanned vehicle industry development" plan and cut its budget. This move, occurring on the same day that Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen convened a "national conference against toxic oil," has drawn strong criticism from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

DPP councilor Chiang Chao-kuo accused the KMT of a "coordinated attack" strategy. He alleged that the KMT is using the food safety scandal, involving "toxic oil" from Zhonglian Grease, as a diversionary tactic. Simultaneously, he claims, KMT legislators are obstructing the "unmanned vehicle industry development" plan, which has a budget of NT$44.2 billion. Chiang argued that this dual approach weakens Taiwan's security, industry, and future.

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This is a political drama of 'advancing separately but coordinating attacks.' On one hand, a group of KMT mayors and county chiefs are turning the food safety issue into political confrontation, constantly shifting blame. On the other hand, another group of KMT legislators is blocking the NT$44.2 billion 'unmanned vehicle industry development plan' in the Legislative Yuan. From local to central government, they echo each other and cooperate in division of labor.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has warned that halting the government's support for the unmanned vehicle sector could severely impact Taiwan's fastest-growing industries and its self-defense capabilities. The ministry highlighted that the plan supports over 267 domestic suppliers and dozens of listed companies. The KMT, however, insists that the plan proceeded illegally without proper approval and has proposed freezing the budget until legal procedures are completed.

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Unmanned vehicles are one of Taiwan's fastest-growing industries in recent years. If government support budgets suddenly drop to zero, it will impact the overall development of the unmanned vehicle industry and national defense autonomy, affecting the development of more than 267 domestic supply chain companies and dozens of listed companies.