TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's National Security Council (NSC, 國安會) Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) warned of significant security threats following China's live-fire drills in the Bohai Sea Wednesday (Dec. 3). Lin criticized the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) for blocking a crucial national defense budget proposal in the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced an eight-year, NT$1.25 trillion (around US$40 billion) investment plan to bolster Taiwan's defense resilience. The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, submitted the draft "Act for Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Capabilities" (強化防衛韌性及不對稱戰力計畫採購特別條例) for legislative review. The proposal requires approval from the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament.
Lin emphasized the need for this budget to counter external threats and accelerate development of Taiwan's air defense network and capabilities. The defense plan includes "T-Dome" (台灣之盾), Taiwan's indigenous air defense system modeled after Israel's Iron Dome, along with AI-driven weapon systems. Lin stated the investment strengthens Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities against potential Chinese military aggression.
Lin accused China of provoking regional countries and preparing for military expansion and unification by force with Taiwan. Lin stated China's provocative behavior toward surrounding nations represents common sense understanding of the security threat. Lin highlighted the fundamental difference between Taiwan's preparations to maintain the status quo and China's military ambitions. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31)