TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) faces significant operational challenges after the Legislative Yuan (立法院) slashed its 2025 budget by over 40%. The cuts could severely impact the council's ability to counter China's expansive influence in Taiwan, according to MAC Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) on Thursday (Jan. 23).
Liang revealed that the council's budget for 2025, initially set at NT$280 million, has been reduced by NT$88.31 million, with additional cuts of NT$32 million by the Internal Administration Committee (內政委員會). He noted that eliminating special allowances for senior officials and reducing operational funds will hinder research and planning, including analyses of China's economic and political landscape.
Liang said the budget cuts threaten to halt student exchange activities between Taiwan and Chinese mainland law, mass communication, and journalism departments. Additionally, funds for promoting the registration of Taiwanese citizens traveling to China, Hong Kong, and Macau will cease, and travel expenses for staff to the Hong Kong and Macau offices have been slashed by about 80%.
Liang emphasized MAC's difficulties maintaining operations, stressing that China's budget for its Taiwan Affairs Office (國台辦) is almost limitless. The cuts also jeopardize the mini-three links' (小三通) medical evacuation mechanism, which could affect Taiwanese business people and workers seeking medical treatment back home. He warned of potential staff reductions due to eliminating contributions from the Straits Exchange Foundation (海基會).