New KMT Leader Reportedly to Meet US Representatives in Taiwan
The new chair of the main opposition Kuomintang is reportedly set to meet with officials from the US' de facto embassy in Taiwan. This comes amid a widening partisan divide over how much to spend on the country's defense. The debate has alarmed some in Washington, though experts say the US has not changed its strategy toward Taiwan.
Party’s Head to Meet AIT Amid Defense Spending Debate
REPORTER:
I’m at the American Institute in Taiwan, the US’ de facto embassy here. Officials from this building are set to meet with the new head of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang, Cheng Li-wun. That’s according to two sources who spoke to TaiwanPlus on condition of anonymity.
REPORTER:
This comes amid fierce debate between the KMT and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party over how much to spend on Taiwan’s defense. Taiwan is reviewing a special defense budget that one DPP lawmaker says could reach as high as 40 billion US dollars.
Cheng openly opposes increasing defense spending, and has been critical of US calls for Taiwan to raise it to up to 10% of GDP.
Cheng Li-wun (KMT HEAD):
The expectations from the United States now far exceed what we can reasonably bear. Although Taiwan is an economically strong country we cannot afford such a high military budget.
REPORTER:
Responding to questions about the meeting, an AIT spokesperson told TaiwanPlus that the agency holds regular discussions with leaders from across the political spectrum in Taiwan. It said this is part of continuing efforts to strengthen the US-Taiwan partnership.
We also reached out to the KMT but did not receive a response.
One expert says it’s normal for US officials to show concern over Taiwan’s defense capabilities, especially as a key political figure pushes back against increased defense spending. But he says Washington’s overall position on Taiwan remains unchanged.
Expert:
The direction of the US policies are remaining the same, that is to strengthen the ties with the allies and also to strengthen the Indo-Pacific strategy.
REPORTER:
This won’t be the first time that the AIT has met with KMT officials recently. In August, the institute met with party lawmakers to discuss U.S.-Taiwan defense cooperation. The KMT posted afterwards on social media that it supports raising defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.
Some say the meeting between the AIT and Cheng shows Washington’s interest in understanding the new KMT leader’s approach to Taiwan’s defense. That’s as the country begins looking ahead to next year’s military budget.
Patrick Chen and Alan Lu in Taipei for TaiwanPlus.
