Taipei: Former U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) intelligence chief Michael Studeman on Friday called on lawmakers and leaders of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) to "be on Taiwan's side" and promptly move the Cabinet's NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.48 billion) supplementary defense budget bill forward. According to Focus Taiwan, Studeman made the remarks at a public event in Taipei to promote the Chinese-language edition of his book "Might of the Chain: Forging Leaders of Iron Integrity," while discussing the dangers posed by the Chinese leadership and military. He emphasized the constant presence of Chinese military forces offshore, patrolling with intentions not in Taiwan's interest. Recounting his first briefing in 2021 to then-President Tsai Ing-wen at the Presidential Office, Studeman highlighted the U.S. government's concerns about whether the Taiwanese government had a clear understanding of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the Chinese military, and their political warfare. He was sent by the White House to brief Tsai and her national security team on these issues to help Taiwan make informed decisions about its future. Studeman praised President Tsai and President Lai for taking the dangers seriously and working towards safeguarding Taiwan's democracy. He urged the Legislative Yuan and KMT leaders to also support the defense bill to enhance Taiwan's security amidst prevailing threats. Speaking to local media, Studeman questioned the intentions of those opposing the defense plan, suggesting that prolonging the process only benefits China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The KMT and the Taiwan People's Party, holding a legislative majority, have been blocking the special budget, expressing concerns over the lack of routine annual legislative oversight. The KMT has proposed an alternative defense bill, earmarking NT$380 billion and mandating reviews of further budget proposals upon receiving letters of acceptance for future weapons sales. However, Studeman warned that failing to invest in Taiwan' s defense risks losing trust with the U.S. and other Indo-Pacific partners. He emphasized that the NT$1.25 trillion defense bill, developed by professionals based on Taiwan's needs, should pass as soon as possible. During his tenure as INDOPACOM's intelligence chief, Studeman visited Taiwan three times. In 2021, he briefed then-President Tsai on the potential threat of a Chinese invasion and later discussed lessons Taiwan should learn from the Russia-Ukraine war in responding to Chinese coercion. Studeman was notably the first active-duty two-star U.S. military officer to visit Taiwan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing in 1979.
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