President Lai Inspects Army Training Command, Urges Immediate Passage of NT$1.25T Defense Budget

President Lai Ching-te inspected the Army Infantry Training Command's Jintang Camp in Kaohsiung, calling for swift passage of the NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget. Lai stated 'Only through constant preparedness can threats be deterred,' characterizing the budget as both necessary and affordable. The presidential inspection came one day after Taiwan's legislature agreed to end a 230-day budget deadlock and begin deliberations. US AIT Director Raymond Greene has previously called on all parties to pass the special defense budget without further delay.