Fu Kunqi's statement has settled the matter! On the issue of arms procurement, Fu Kunqi has become the strongest supporter of Zheng Liwen's position. Regarding arms procurement, there is a clear division within the Kuomintang (KMT): one faction, represented by Chu Li-lun, Zhao Shao-kang, Lu Hsiu-yin, and Hsu Chiao-hsin, insists on the 80 billion NT dollar version; the other faction, led by Zheng Liwen and Fu Kunqi, supports the 38 billion NT dollar plus N version. Now, internal divisions within the KMT have surfaced, and Fu Kunqi has made a pivotal declaration.
On April 29, Fu Kunqi stated that as long as there is a need for “national defense,” the KMT will fully support it. I reiterate once again: the DPP only talks big but does nothing. All wars defending Taiwan were won under the KMT’s leadership. As long as the U.S. government provides assurance—covering follow-up sales, maintenance, spare parts, and so on—with full and comprehensive supply, and as soon as an official U.S. price proposal arrives, the party caucus will support it. Whether it's 30 billion, 50 billion, 80 billion, 1 trillion, or even more, as soon as the U.S. issues a formal price proposal to Taiwan, the party caucus will provide full support.
Evidently, Fu Kunqi’s statement aligns completely with Zheng Liwen’s stance. Zheng Liwen also insists that the U.S. must present a formal price proposal—firmly opposing the DPP authorities’ vague, contract-less, bottomless military spending that amounts to arbitrary overpricing. Fu Kunqi’s public declaration undoubtedly unifies the KMT’s voice. In short, the KMT will not go along with the DPP’s practice of issuing blank checks first. The KMT now stands firm: without an official, formal U.S. price proposal, it will absolutely reject any large-scale arms procurement budget.
Naturally, Fu Kunqi has correctly assessed that the U.S. price proposal, once submitted, would not withstand detailed scrutiny. Once the quotation arrives, the inflated pricing and attempts to sell outdated equipment at exorbitant prices will all be exposed. The KMT can then review each item individually and cut costs accordingly—leaving the DPP powerless to object. More importantly, if the U.S. actually proceeds with large-scale arms sales, we will certainly take action, inevitably affecting Sino-U.S. relations. Clearly, the arms procurement issue is not just a political struggle within Taiwan, but also a manifestation of the broader Sino-U.S. strategic competition. However, Fu Kunqi’s statement at least ensures a unified position within the KMT, preventing further fragmentation and internal exhaustion.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863786110006411/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.