Politics

Taiwan’s political divisions weaken defence stance as Trump returns

Published

9 months ago

January 25, 2025

US President Donald Trump (Photo: X/ @realDonaldTrump) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)

Taipei [Taiwan], January 25 (ANI): Taiwan‘s parliament has voted to freeze billions in defence spending just hours after Donald Trump‘s inauguration, raising concerns about the island’s preparedness against China‘s mounting threats, CNN reported.

The move, backed by the opposition, comes at a time when Taiwan is navigating strained relations with the United States under Trump‘s transactional approach to foreign policy. Critics warn that this decision could jeopardise Taiwan‘s military reformsand send negative signals to Washington.

Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer and democratically governed territory, faces constant threats from China, which claims the island as part of its territory. Despite never having governed Taiwan, Beijing continues to vow reunification, by force if necessary. The United States has been Taiwan‘s main arms supplier and strategic partner, but Trump‘s “America First” policy has heightened fears about whether Washington will continue its support without greater financial contributions from Taipei.

The opposition-led vote to block funding comes as Taiwan‘s President Lai Ching-te struggles with a parliament dominated by opposition forces. Critics argue that this budget freeze could weaken Taiwan‘s Defence capabilities and damage its credibility with the US “If there is not enough budget to consistently improve Taiwan‘s defence reforms and capabilities, the international community will doubt Taiwan‘s determination to defend ourselves,” Lai said in a Facebook post. The frozen funds impact key projects, including the development of indigenous submarines and drones.

Taiwan‘s Premier Cho Jung-tai strongly condemned the opposition’s actions, calling them “suicidal” and warning that they send “the wrong signal to the United States.” Defence Minister Wellington Koo echoed these concerns, emphasising that the freeze could undermine Taiwan‘s military modernisation efforts. Trump, known for his criticism of Taiwan‘s defence spending, previously called for the island to increase its defence allocation to 10 per cent of GDP – a fourfold increase from its current levels.

Taiwan‘s defence spending has faced scrutiny even before Trump‘s return. A backlog of more than USD 20 billion in undelivered US military equipment has hampered Taiwan‘s modernisation efforts. Concerns have also been raised about Taiwan‘s reliance on asymmetric warfare strategies, which prioritise smaller, more mobile systems like drones and portable missiles over conventional military equipment.

Defence experts argue that while progress has been made, much more needs to be done to counter the growing threat from China, which has the world’s largest standing army and spends 11 times more on defence than Taiwan, CNN reported.

Public sentiment in Taiwan reflects growing anxiety over the political deadlock. Residents have expressed concern about how the opposition-led freeze might be perceived by the US “I hope that Taiwan‘s legislature doesn’t embarrass itself and lose face to foreign countries,” said Wang Cheng-yi, a postgraduate student at National TaiwanUniversity. Ms. Hsu, a 75-year-old Taipei resident, emphasised the importance of unity, saying, “Everybody should sit down and talk. Taiwan must balance relations with both the US and China. We are small. We cannot afford to make either big brother unhappy.”

China‘s growing military aggression and diplomatic isolation of Taiwan have added urgency to the island’s defence preparations. Last year, US intelligence suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping had instructed his military to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027. While this does not guarantee an invasion, it underscores the escalating threat. The United States has historically maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” under the Taiwan Relations Act, which commits Washington to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself without explicitly promising military intervention.

Taiwan‘s military reforms have faced criticism for their slow pace. Issues such as inadequate reservist training and delays in deploying advanced weaponry have drawn scrutiny. The ongoing debate over Taiwan‘s indigenous submarine program further highlights the challenges. Alexander Huang, head of international affairs for the opposition Kuomintang party, defended the budget freeze, stating, “We are not opposing indigenous weapon system development. However, we emphasise that we need to be very prudent to make sure our self-designed submarine can actually work.”

The political discord also extends to Taiwan‘s infrastructure. Earlier this week, undersea cables connecting Taiwan to the Matsu islands were severed due to “natural deterioration,” disrupting internet services in the area. The digital affairs ministry has warned that further budget cuts could hinder the maintenance of critical infrastructure, leaving Taiwan vulnerable to potential exploitation by Beijing.

Despite these challenges, some Taiwanese remain optimistic. Yeh Hsin-wei, a student in Taipei, pointed to Taiwan‘s semiconductor industry as a key deterrent against Beijing. “The world needs our chips, so I think China wouldn’t risk a war,” he said to CNN. “We need to be prepared, but maybe not worry too much.”

Analysts have urged Taiwan‘s government to focus on presenting a united front, especially in light of Trump‘s return to the White House. “With or without Trump‘s inauguration, with China‘s increasing aggression over Taiwan, it is indeed Taiwan‘s top priority to continue to increase its self-defence budget,” said Wei-Ting Yen, an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica. “That’s definitely not a good signal.” (ANI)

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info

Politics

Abia councillor decry starvation amid rising constituents’ anger

Published

10 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The leader of the 7th Osisioma Ngwa Legislative Council, Victor Ngwakwe, has lamented what he described as a growing wave of anger, hunger, and frustration among residents across Abia’s local government areas, blaming the situation on the state’s alleged tight control of local government funds.

Ngwakwe, who represents Osokwa Ward, said that councillors in Osisioma Ngwa are under immense pressure from their constituents who expect them to deliver basic services despite the absence of direct funding.

“Our people are not asking for much. They just want the basic things government is supposed to do for them,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“But the grassroots don’t know the people at the state level — they only have access to their councillors, who unfortunately have no funds to work with.”

He expressed deep concern that public confidence in local representatives was fading, particularly among elderly voters who no longer trust their councillors to deliver on campaign promises.

Ngwakwe accused the Abia State Government of violating the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Local Government Act by appropriating and spending local government allocations from Umuahia, instead of allowing councils to manage their own funds.

“Everything is done at Government House in Umuahia, which is against what’s clearly stated in the Constitution,” he said.

“It’s only in Abia that this section of the law is implemented 100% against local councils.”

The lawmaker disclosed that councillors often resort to personal funds or private assistance to carry out even the smallest projects.

“Whatever you see any councillor doing now is either funded personally or supported by a friend or political boss,” he added.

Ngwakwe urged Abia residents to understand that local councillors are willing and ready to serve if granted access to statutory allocations.

“The funds allocated to Osisioma Ngwa are enough to show that we care for our people,” he said. “But I must be clear — Abia State controls the local government money, and we don’t have access to our monthly allocations.”

Politics

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Top Officials Set to Defect to APC on October 14

Published

11 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

In a major political shift that could reshape the political landscape of Enugu State and the South East, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is expected to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

According to multiple sources within both parties, the governor’s defection will be accompanied by key members of the state executive council, top aides, and a significant number of state lawmakers. The planned defection will take place during a high-profile event in Enugu, which is expected to draw national APC leaders, including members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Governor Mbah’s anticipated move to the APC is being viewed as a strategic political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political observers believe the defection could significantly strengthen the APC’s presence in the South East, a region that has historically leaned toward opposition parties.

Sources close to the governor suggest that his decision was influenced by ongoing political negotiations at the national level and increasing efforts from federal stakeholders to consolidate APC’s power in the region.

The APC is reportedly preparing a grand reception to welcome the governor and his allies. Internal party sources revealed that steps are being taken to restructure the PDP leadership in Enugu to accommodate the influx of new members. A reconciliation committee is also working to manage internal reactions and ensure smooth integration.

We are welcoming Governor Mbah and his team. His choice to join the APC proves that our party is the preferred path for progress and national alignment, said a senior APC official who asked not to be named.

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Top Officials Set to Defect to APC on October 14

As of the time of filing this report, the Peoples Democratic Party has not released an official statement regarding the expected defection. However, insiders within the party expressed deep concern over the development, warning that it could weaken the PDP’s influence in the state.

Several PDP leaders are reportedly making last-minute efforts to persuade the governor to reconsider, amid fears that the move could destabilize the party structure ahead of the next election cycle.

If finalized, this defection will be one of the most significant political developments in Enugu State since the return to democratic rule in 1999. With multiple lawmakers and cabinet members expected to follow the governor, the political atmosphere in Enugu and the South East is set for a major transformation.

Whether the APC will gain long-term advantage from this shift remains to be seen, but the event marks a turning point in the state’s political direction.

Politics

Breaking News: Former President Jonathan Joins Calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Published

14 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant development, former President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown his weight behind the call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). According to reports, Jonathan met with a concerned individual earlier today to discuss Kanu’s continued incarceration and agreed that the matter needs to be addressed decisively and justly.

Jonathan reportedly promised to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss Kanu’s case, further amplifying the growing chorus of voices demanding Kanu’s release. This list includes notable figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Femi Falana SAN, Senator Shehu Sani, and many others across various divides.

The call for Kanu’s release is driven by concerns over marginalization and the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader. Many believe that Kanu’s case has become a symbol of the need for justice and fairness in Nigeria’s treatment of ethnic and regional activists.

As the movement gains momentum, prominent individuals, including politicians, traditional leaders, and activists, are being urged to join the call for Kanu’s release. Notable figures such as Peter Obi, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, and others from the Southeast region are specifically being invited to lend their voices to the cause.

The campaign for Kanu’s release is expected to culminate in a peaceful protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on October 20, led by activist Omoyele Sowore.