Taiwan’s separatist leader Lai Ching-te sparked strong backlash from opposition forces on the island and in mainland China after announcing military spending of approximately U.S.$ 40 billion.
Lai, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), made the announcement in an article published in The Washington Post, without first informing Taiwan’s legislature. Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Hsu Yu-chen accused Lai of “subservience to the United States” and questioned whether “answering to Washington” had become more important to him than answering to the people, according to the China Times.
The leader also reiterated his commitment to raising military spending to 5% of GDP by 2030, a decision that, according to the opposition, could reshape the island’s fiscal structure without any prior public debate.
Hsu Yu-chen described as “unacceptable” Lai’s decision to first disclose a budget of this scale to the United States. “A decision of such magnitude, capable of reshaping the fiscal structure and strategic direction, is not publicly explained domestically, but bypasses the legislature and Taiwanese society, prioritizing that the United States be informed first through an external article,” she told the China Times.
KMT lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin added that when the defense budget represents half of the total budget, it is necessary to question what kind of country maintains such a proportion.
China’s position
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Wednesday (26) that attempts by DPP authorities to “resist unification by force” and “seek independence by force” are “doomed to fail.”
“China’s position against official exchanges and military contacts between the U.S. and Taiwan is consistent,” Mao said. She was responding to a question about statements by the director of the Taipei office of the American Institute in Taiwan, who welcomed Lai’s announced military spending plan.
Peng Qing’en, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council, also criticized Lai’s conduct toward foreign countries. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Peng condemned Lai’s recent expressions of support for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, whose comments on Taiwan generated protests on the island.
“We warn the Lai Ching-te authorities: any act that relies on external forces will only lead to disgrace, and anyone who betrays the nation will inevitably face the judgment of justice.”
