An alternative to the Executive Yuan’s special defense budget should prioritize drones over submarines and range from NT$800 billion to NT$1 trillion (US$25 billion to US$31.25 billion), Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) said yesterday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a Taichung City Council meeting, Lu said her proposal differs from the Cabinet’s NT$1.25 trillion proposal, which includes the purchase of eight submarines and 200,000 drones.
Her version would scale back submarine procurement, while increasing investment in drones, she said.
Photo: CNA
Lu, who is widely seen as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race, also compared her proposal with her party’s NT$380 billion proposal, although she said the figures are not directly comparable as additional funding could be adjusted through negotiations between the Cabinet and the legislature.
Taiwan should maintain balanced relations with China and the US, she said, adding that excessive opposition to either side is unnecessary to ensure peace and security.
She emphasized that her views are personal and based on her experience serving on the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
Lu served on the committee for 13 legislative sessions during her tenure as a lawmaker from 1999 to 2018.
However, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said there had been no communication between Lu and the KMT caucus.
Cheng said they discussed many issues, including the defense bill, before Lu set off on an 11-day trip to the US earlier this month.
She thanked Lu for clearly relaying the position of the KMT during the trip.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
Taiwan is concerned that China could exploit the US’ war in the Middle East, with state media citing examples from the conflict to cast doubt on the efficiency of US weapons Taiwan would use to repel an invasion. Taiwanese officials said the resumption of Beijing’s large-scale air force incursions near Taiwan after an unusual decline show that China wants to take advantage of the redeployment of US forces from East Asia to the Middle East. “This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” a senior Taiwanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What China is trying to create is a
RSS