Taiwan cannot afford to hike its defence finances to greater than three % of GDP, the brand new chief of the democratic island’s greatest opposition get together advised AFP, which might derail the federal government’s spending plans.
The Kuomintang get together (KMT) controls parliament — and the federal government’s purse strings — with the assistance of the Taiwan Folks’s Get together, and has shut ties with China.
Taiwan president Lai Ching-te, who leads the Democratic Progressive Get together (DPP), goals to spice up defence spending to greater than three % of GDP subsequent yr and 5 % by 2030, following US stress to spend extra on defending itself in opposition to a possible Chinese language assault.
China claims Taiwan is a part of its territory and has threatened to make use of drive to deliver the island underneath its management.
“The US’ expectations far exceed what we will moderately afford,” Cheng Li-wun, 55, advised AFP in an interview earlier than formally taking on the KMT chair put up on Saturday.
“Taiwan is not an ATM — we actually haven’t got that a lot cash,” she stated.
“We actually have the dedication to defend Taiwan, however it’s not a clean cheque. That is why I stated we will need to have an affordable defence finances.”
Lai’s authorities has proposed NT$949.5 billion (US$31 billion), or 3.32 % of GDP, for defence spending subsequent yr.
It’s also plans to hunt as much as NT$1 trillion in particular funding to improve the island’s air defence methods and improve capability to supply and retailer ammunition for wartime.
The spending proposals want parliamentary approval earlier than they’ll take impact.
The opposition-controlled legislature minimize the 2025 basic finances and froze some defence spending.
It’s unclear what number of KMT lawmakers within the parliament help Cheng’s views, however she insists it’s the “overwhelming majority” of the get together.
Outgoing KMT chair Eric Chu stated beforehand the get together supported rising defence spending to greater than three % of GDP, however opposed Taiwan shopping for US weapons and gear to resolve its commerce deficit.
The US severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favour of China, however it stays the island’s greatest arms provider.
Cheng accused Lai of pushing Taiwan in direction of a possible conflict through which the island could be the “greatest loser”.
– ‘Pointless arms race’ –
“If cross-strait relations are peaceable and secure, we do not want a pointless arms race,” Cheng stated, insisting dialogue with Beijing was the best choice.
China severed high-level communications with Taiwan in 2016 after Lai’s predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, additionally a member of the DPP, took energy.
The dispute between China and Taiwan dates again greater than 75 years to the Chinese language civil conflict. Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces had been defeated by Mao Zedong’s communist fighters and fled to Taiwan.
Cheng stated the “established order” between Taiwan and China “can not stay unchanged eternally” and that there’ll inevitably will likely be a “strategy of change”.
“What we’re working arduous for now could be to stop it from escalating into conflict, however slightly in direction of reconciliation and peace,” she stated, including she is prepared to fulfill with Chinese language President Xi Jinping.
Cheng started her political profession within the DPP earlier than switching to the KMT in 2005. She was the one feminine candidate within the October 18 elections, which had been tarnished by allegations of Chinese language interference.
Xi despatched a congratulatory message to Cheng after her win and referred to as on each side to “advance nationwide reunification”.
After dropping three presidential elections in a row, Cheng stated the KMT “can not afford to lose once more” in 2028.
bur-amj/hmn/fox
