KMT Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen Breaks with Official KMT Position, Suggests NT$800B–NT$1T Defense Budget Range

KMT Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen publicly stated on March 30 that Taiwan's arms procurement figure 'should be between NT$800 billion and NT$1 trillion' — significantly above the official KMT caucus position of NT$350–380 billion and the TPP alternative of NT$400 billion, but below the DPP executive proposal of NT$1.25 trillion. The statement drew significant attention as a possible negotiating signal from within the KMT, particularly given Lu's status as a prominent KMT figure and potential leadership contender. The comment suggests the inter-party gap on defense spending is narrowing under combined pressure from AIT Director Greene (NT$1.25T endorsement, March 29), US Senate delegation pressure (March 30), and the broader strategic environment of elevated PLA activity. KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun separately announced she would visit China in April 2026 to promote 'peaceful' cross-strait relations — a move that drew DPP criticism amid the current PLA escalation. No KMT-Xi Jinping meeting was confirmed.