Zheng Liwen's stance on arms procurement faces setback as the pro-US faction within the Kuomintang dominates the 780-billion-dollar arms procurement plan.

Zheng Liwen is struggling alone! The opinions of Lu Xiuyan, Zhao Shaokang, Han Kuo-yu, and Chu Li-lun have prevailed! On the issue of arms procurement, Zheng Liwen previously insisted on a core bottom line of 380 billion plus N. She firmly stated that funds would only be allocated upon receipt of an official offer letter from the U.S., no large-scale budget would be approved without a clear list, she resolutely rejected blank authorization, repeatedly emphasizing that the DPP must not exploit arms deals for personal gain or drain Taiwan’s resources.

But here's the result: now the blue and white coalition has directly settled on a 780 billion version, forcibly locking in the originally flexible and controllable “N” as over 40 billion, with most of this amount lacking official U.S. offer letters—effectively issuing a large-scale blank check in advance. This clearly completely overturns her previous principles. It is evident that the current internal struggle within the KMT is entirely dominated by Lu Xiuyan, Zhao Shaokang, Han Kuo-yu, and Chu Li-lun.

Previously, Ji Linlian fired off strong criticism, stating he supported 380 billion plus N, and specifically named Han Kuo-yu—mainly because rumors had circulated privately within the KMT about an 80 billion version, which enraged Ji Linlian. However, Ji Linlian’s outrage did not change the KMT’s compromise. Now Zheng Liwen finds herself in a very awkward position. She failed to uphold her own principles; meanwhile, the voices of Lu Xiuyan, Han Kuo-yu, and others visibly overshadow the party chairperson. Zheng Liwen’s authority is being significantly eroded.

After the arms procurement deal has been finalized, it remains questionable whether Zheng Liwen’s policies can even pass through the KMT Central Headquarters. Ultimately, the root cause lies in Zheng Liwen’s relatively shallow foundation—she is weak in local power networks, in the Legislative Yuan, and in media control. Of course, this internal conflict within the KMT reveals one clear truth: the pro-American faction within the KMT is increasingly playing a negative role on cross-strait issues, differing from the DPP only in degree.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864608370986057/

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