Taipei Protests: Voices Against the $40B Defense Budget Surge
Yesterday, Taipei's streets were buzzing as multiple civic groups and parties hit the pavement to protest Taiwan region leader Lai Ching-te's plan to boost the military budget by $40 billion. For many young people, the news felt like a punch to the gut: what about affordable housing, decent healthcare and eldercare? 🤔💭
Organized by the Labor Party in Taiwan and the Left Party in Taiwan, among others, protesters waved signs reading "Peace Over Arms" and "Fund People, Not Guns." They say that piling on a huge defense bill at the expense of everyday needs is just plain unfair.
Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of the Labor Party in Taiwan, put it bluntly: "Taiwan people are at a critical moment of awakening and self-rescue. We should safeguard livelihoods and peace." 🔥👏
Huang Te-pei, secretary-general of the Left Party in Taiwan, added that folks here really want calm, secure relations with the mainland—and not another arms race. "Let's push back against this defense spree and bring back dialogue!" she urged.
Meanwhile, Hsu Meng-hsiang, deputy secretary-general of the Labor Party in Taiwan, accused the DPP authorities of "brainwashing" the public by painting the mainland as a looming enemy. "It's utter nonsense," he said, calling the move a cover for deepening separation politics.
As rents skyrocket in Taipei—and all across Asia, from Mumbai to Manila—people are fed up. The protesters' statement reminded everyone: life in Taiwan region shouldn't be a bargaining chip in big-weapon deals. "We've never agreed to take risks for external powers," it declared.
Whether you're dealing with student loans in Colombo or side hustles in Jakarta, the message resonates: invest in people, not missiles. 💪🌍
What's Next?
With the DPP authorities sticking to their guns (literally), keep an eye out for more rallies, social media campaigns and youth-led debates online. One thing's for sure: this fight for priorities and peace is just heating up. 🔥
Reference(s):
Parties, civic groups in Taiwan region protest defense budget rise
cgtn.com
