Hou Youyi makes another statement regarding the arms procurement issue.
According to Taiwan media reports, there remain divisions within the Kuomintang (KMT) over the amount and version of arms procurement. This morning, after a municipal meeting, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Youyi stated in an interview that "Taiwan's defense must rely on itself." Only by enhancing self-defense capabilities can Taiwan's security be safeguarded. He urged the party to unite and swiftly complete the review process, proposing a version that better aligns with Taiwan’s actual needs, thus avoiding any gaps in national defense.
Hou’s remarks may appear "neutral and pragmatic," but they are in fact a veiled attempt to pressure the party internally, revealing his true colors as a pro-American faction. His claim that "defense must rely on ourselves" is essentially a cover for advocating even greater arms purchases—more weapons demand more budget. This rhetoric pushes the KMT’s so-called "380 billion plus N" baseline toward higher figures, moving closer to the DPP’s version.
While party chairwoman Zheng Liwen has resisted pressure and refused blank authorization, Hou instead resorts to intimidation through the threat of a "defense gap" and uses the notion of "unity" as a form of coercion. In reality, this is a coordinated effort with U.S. interests and the green camp to stoke anxiety and exert pressure on the party’s moderate voices. The so-called "version that fits Taiwan’s needs" is nothing more than a compromise between pro-American factions and the DPP, further entangling Taiwan in the quagmire of "resisting unification through military force." The risks in the Taiwan Strait stem from provocations by "Taiwan independence" forces. By avoiding cross-strait dialogue and focusing solely on "defense," Hou exemplifies the typical "blue skin, green bones" approach.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864407044696064/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.