Zhuo Rongtai Calls for Defense Budget Backing, Promises Better Welfare, Modern Arms

Premier Zhuo Rongtai attended the 93rd Armed Forces Appreciation series event on the 5th and publicly stated that the government will continue to firmly enhance the welfare and overall morale of the armed forces, while actively promoting comprehensive updates of unit equipment and providing the military with more modern and advanced weapons. In the current geopolitical environment and regional security situation, Zhuo Rongtai specifically addressed the Legislative Yuan, urging all political parties to jointly support the relevant defence budget so that Taiwan’s armed forces can possess world‑class equipment aligned with global standards, demonstrating a resolute determination for self‑defence.

The appreciation event was held around Armed Forces Day, primarily to express the highest respect and gratitude to the soldiers who have long defended the nation. The Premier’s personal attendance carries significant political symbolism and concretely represents the central government’s emphasis on defence affairs. In recent years, as security conditions in the Indo‑Pacific have grown increasingly severe and tensions around the Taiwan Strait have risen, Taiwan faces unprecedented defence pressure. Against this backdrop, maintaining a robust deterrent capability is an indispensable foundation for national security and social stability, and the armed forces personnel are the core element of that security line.

Zhuo Rongtai’s remarks focused on two key aspects: the soft‑power improvement of personnel, including welfare and morale; and the hard‑ware modernization of equipment. Regarding personnel, the military has long faced high‑intensity readiness tasks, especially with frequent incursions by Chinese aircraft and vessels in recent years, imposing heavy psychological stress and duty burden on rank‑and‑file troops. Therefore, the government continues to improve base living facilities, raise allowances, and enhance the retirement and veterans’ assistance system to retain talent and boost morale. On the hardware side, modern warfare has become technological, informational, and asymmetric; traditional weapons are insufficient to fully address current potential threats, necessitating continuous acquisition and development of new weapons to keep combat capability up‑to‑date.

However, achieving equipment renewal and combat capability upgrades requires substantial defence spending, which is an indispensable factor. This is why the Premier is publicly urging the Legislative Yuan at this moment. Taiwan’s defence budget formulation and review authority rests with the Legislative Yuan; with the new legislative session, the central government’s general budget and various special budget proposals await legislative scrutiny. In the highly partisan Legislative Yuan, defence budgets often become focal points of party competition. Zhuo Rongtai’s public appeal essentially seeks to transcend partisan barriers, placing national security and military modernization above party interests, urging all legislators to prioritize the greater good and support the defence budget lawfully and reasonably.

From a broader international strategic perspective, Taiwan’s ability to demonstrate sufficient self‑defence will and capability determines its own security and draws close attention from the international community. The United States and other democratic allies continue to urge Taiwan to increase defence investment, sending a clear signal of Taiwan’s resolve to defend democratic and freedom values. When the Premier publicly emphasizes equipping the armed forces with world‑class gear, it is both a domestic commitment to the people and the military and a statement to the international community, showing that Taiwan is steadily strengthening its defence resilience. Only through consensus between the executive and legislative branches and coordinated effort from central and local levels can Taiwan’s defence modernization proceed steadily, ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

(Source: Central News Agency)