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U.S. Lawmakers Urge Taiwan to Boost Defense, Drone Budgets Amid Security Concerns

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A delegation of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) visited the U.S. Congress, where American officials expressed concern over significant cuts to Taiwan's defense and drone budgets.
  • U.S. lawmakers highlighted the importance of drone systems for Taiwan's defense capabilities, referencing their impact in the Ukraine war.
  • The DPP delegation assured that the ruling party remains committed to strengthening Taiwan's self-defense and will seek alternative budget adjustments to cover necessary defense expenditures.

U.S. lawmakers have voiced concerns to a visiting Taiwanese delegation regarding substantial cuts to Taiwan's defense and drone budgets, emphasizing the critical role of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare. During a meeting with a delegation from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Washington D.C., U.S. officials pointed to the war in Ukraine as a stark example of how drone technology significantly bolsters a nation's defense capabilities.

The U.S. side is concerned about the significant cuts to Taiwan's special defense budget and drone funding. They also mentioned the importance of drone systems for Taiwan's defense capabilities after the war in Ukraine.

— Wu Si-yaoDescribing the concerns raised by U.S. officials regarding Taiwan's defense budget during a meeting in Washington D.C.

The DPP delegation, led by legislative caucus convener Tsai Chi-chang, met with various U.S. congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The discussions focused on cross-strait security, democratic cooperation, economic development, and regional stability. DPP policy committee executive director Wu Si-yao stated that the delegation conveyed the ruling party's determination to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, consistently enhance defense budgets, and promote self-reliant defense industries.

We have continuously emphasized Taiwan's determination for self-defense.

— Wu Si-yaoStating the consensus reached with U.S. officials on the urgency and necessity of building up defense capabilities.

Despite proposed budget cuts by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, which reportedly aim to reduce the drone budget by NT$44.2 billion this year, the DPP delegation assured their U.S. counterparts that they would continue cross-party communication. They also plan to explore alternative budget adjustments to ensure Taiwan's defense needs are fully met. Wu noted that Taiwanese public opinion largely supports self-defense and drone development, with over 70% of the population backing these initiatives. Both Taiwanese and U.S. officials share a strong consensus on the urgency and necessity of bolstering Taiwan's defense capabilities.

The delegation clearly conveyed the ruling party's determination to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, continue to strengthen the defense budget, and promote 'non-red supply chain' defense autonomy.

— Wu Si-yaoExplaining the key messages delivered by the DPP delegation to their U.S. counterparts regarding defense policy.

Economic and regional security issues were also on the agenda. The delegation urged U.S. lawmakers to expedite the passage of a bill on avoiding double taxation, which they believe will foster bilateral investment and mark a significant breakthrough in Taiwan-U.S. economic relations. Furthermore, the DPP representatives reiterated Taiwan's commitment to being a "defender and contributor to peace," underscoring their firm resolve to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and ensure regional stability.

Taiwan is a 'defender of peace, a contributor to peace,' demonstrating a firm will to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and regional peace and security.

— Wu Si-yaoArticulating Taiwan's role and commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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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