Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai urged opposition parties on Monday to withdraw their proposed budget cuts, citing their detrimental impact on national security and essential governmental functions.
Taiwan’s Cabinet previously approved a budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025, which included NT$3.13 trillion ($95.5 billion) in expenditure and a projected revenue of NT$3.15 trillion ($96 billion), which will lead to a surplus of NT$20.9 billion $637 million), according to local reports.
However, two opposition parties—the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People’s Party—used their legislative majority on Friday to propose a NT$93.98 billion ($2.86 billion) cut from the government’s general budget.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te won the presidential election last year, but his Democratic Progressive Party failed to secure a parliamentary majority, resulting in the opposition holding the most seats and gaining control over legislative matters.
Cho told reporters on Monday that the opposition’s proposed budget cuts would harm national security and paralyze certain governmental operations.
“Please withdraw all proposals that would paralyze the government and impact national security,” he said, noting that passing the proposals will lead to “administrative departments finding it hard to operate, and even basic tasks will be hard to carry out.”
Cho said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to take control of the island, “will be very pleased” if the budget cuts were approved.
Opposition parties have also proposed cutting NT$100 billion ($3 billion) in subsidies for the state-owned energy company, the report stated. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the 2025 budget on Tuesday.
Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee said the proposed budget cuts would hinder the self-ruling island’s ability to collaborate with other countries in various areas, such as technology, economic, and human rights protection. Lee said the executive branch will consider seeking a resolution under the law if necessary, according to the news outlet.
In recent years, the CCP has employed various gray zone tactics to pressure Taiwan, including holding large-scale military drills, sending fighter jets and warships near the island, and enticing Taiwan’s allies to switch their diplomatic recognition to them.
