KMT Accuses Drone Firms of DPP Ties; Cabinet Calls Claims 'Baseless'

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, by reporters Kao Hua-chien and Lai Yu-chen) Kuomintang (KMT) legislators have raised doubts about the drone supply chain, alleging that Ministry of National Defense contracts are all awarded to "green friends" with ties to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated today that she would not comment on such "baseless, arbitrary allegations, and even claims that tarnish hundreds of companies across Taiwan." Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that the drone industry is absolutely unrelated to "green friends." KMT legislators Lo Ting-wei, Hsu Chiao-hsin, and others held a press conference today questioning that Carbon-Based Technology's Chairman Chen Wen-hung, CEO Yu Pei-wen, and independent director Hung Yao-nan all have pro-DPP backgrounds. They also noted that Chen and Hung both joined Carbon-Based Technology in the same year that President Lai Ching-te announced the five major trusted industries. At a post-cabinet meeting press conference today, Li Hui-chih stated in response that Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo has already explained in the Legislative Yuan that the drone industry involves hundreds of companies for key components and system integration, spread across Taiwan. She reiterated that she would not comment on "such baseless, arbitrary allegations, and even claims that tarnish hundreds of companies across Taiwan." (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150521