00:26This comes after months of legislative debate over how to
00:29allocate extra funding for Taiwan's defense.
00:32Earlier this month, lawmakers approved a $25 billion package for arms purchases from
00:37the U.S., but left out items President Lai Ching-da had proposed, including a missile
00:41defense system and a drone procurement plan.
00:43Opposition lawmakers who backed the reduced plan say they do support defense spending,
00:47but wanted to be transparent and properly overseen by the government.
01:04It all comes after U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
01:08Although U.S. officials have promised no changes to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, recent comments
01:13by Trump have raised concern over whether a pending $14 billion arms deal to Taiwan will
01:17be delayed.
01:18But on the streets of Taipei, many remain optimistic about U.S. commitments to Taiwan.
01:58All this as Taiwan's top security council official warns of growing Chinese presence
02:02in the region.
02:03And as protests continue, the cabinet says additional defense spending bills focus on
02:07domestic research, development and manufacturing could still be possible.
02:10John Tsu and Larry Siano for Taiwan Plus.
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