00:05Protesters at Taiwan's legislature slammed the final version of a special defense funding
00:10bill passed last week. The $25 billion budget is a compromise, far lower than the $40 billion
00:16proposal put forward by President Lai Qingde last November. That version included funding
00:21for U.S. arms deals and also set aside money for a multi-layered missile defense system
00:25called the T-Dome, a drone procurement plan, and an integrated air defense system. None
00:31of those were included in the final version. Instead, domestic weapons programs will be
00:35covered by the regular annual budget. Analysts say that might not be enough.
00:39We can't only rely on the love of the American people, because there is a technology system
00:44and the energy system of Taiwan. We know that we bought the IBCS, or NASA, or how to
00:54and Taiwan. This is very important.
00:58The new budget is causing tensions. The Cabinet says it might put forward another proposal
01:02for domestic procurement and other items that were cut, but that would require further
01:06legislation and lawmakers' approval. And the opposition has already signaled it would
01:10likely not be on board.
01:26Drones, especially ones that do not contain Chinese-made components, are already a priority
01:31for Taiwan's defense ministry.
01:32The country has moved to deepen cooperation in this area with friendly countries.
01:36But the future of Taiwanese drone production is now up in the air.
01:54The new budget has raised eyebrows in Washington as well.
01:59An unnamed senior U.S. official told Reuters his government was disappointed with the outlay.
02:04This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping
02:08in Beijing later this week.
02:10Taiwan in arms sales reportedly may be on the agenda, though one U.S. official says no
02:15change in Washington's stance on Taiwan is expected.
02:18After nearly seven months of deadlock, the new budget may seem at first like a breakthrough.
02:23But as debate over Taiwan's defense rages on, the story of the country's military buildup
02:27may be far from over.
02:29Fu Hua Hung, Ryan Wu, and Larry Hsiano for Taiwan Plus.
02:33This is for about five months.
02:33fucking
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