Taiwan’s Lai plans $40 bn defence upgrade to tackle Chinese threat — he hits political hurdle

Key Highlights

• Opposition lawmakers, who control Taiwan’s legislature, have blocked the proposal unless the president agrees to political concessions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADA domestic fight with global consequencesThe deadlock goes beyond routine partisan rivalry. It raises uncomfortable questions about whether Taiwan can strengthen its defences fast enough while remaining a reliable partner to Washington.
• Lai has pledged to push military and security spending above three percent of Taiwan’s economy this year, a move clearly aimed at reassuring the island’s most important security backer. More from World China fumes as US signs new trade deal with Taiwan to cut tariffs, boost chip sale Taiwan says it will remain world’s top AI chip maker after new US trade deal cuts tariffs, boosts investmentInstead, the plan has become tangled in budget disputes and legal battles between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and opposition parties.
• Both sides accuse the other of breaking the law. Tensions escalated when Lai’s premier refused to approve legislation passed by the opposition that would redirect tax revenue from the central government to local administrations.
• Opposition lawmakers called the move unconstitutional, labelled Lai a dictator, and even initiated impeachment proceedings.“We have never experienced such a massive crisis of constitutional rule of law as we have right now,” said Weng Hsiao-ling of the Nationalist Party, as quoted by the New York Times (NYT).
• “Executive power is not operating according to the law,” he added. Quick ReadsView AllNew Zealand: Heavy rain triggers landslide at campsite; voices of those buried heard beneath rubbleUS officially exits WHO today citing 'mishandling of Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, ChinaAccusations and distrust deepen dividesThe DPP, meanwhile, says the opposition is deliberately paralysing the government and undermining Taiwan’s security.