NT$10,000 Cash Handout Not Enough! KMT Proposes 'Universal NT$20,000' Fu Kwo-chi: Will Actively Review General Budget

The Executive Yuan officially passed the 2025 central government budget on the 20th. President Lai Ching-te announced on the 17th that the budget, under the premise of revenue-expenditure balance and zero net borrowing, includes an additional NT$235.7 billion to distribute NT$10,000 to each citizen in 2025, aiming to 'share the benefits of AI with everyone.' However, Fu Kwo-chi, the convener of the KMT legislative caucus, stated on the 21st that this year's economic growth rate far exceeds last year's, and since NT$10,000 was already distributed last year, the KMT will discuss distributing NT$20,000 to NT$30,000. 'We will fully promote the cash handout and actively review the budget,' he emphasized. After Lai Ching-te's second briefing on the '2025 central government budget' by the Executive Yuan on the 17th, he stated that Taiwan, leveraging its long-term accumulated advantages in semiconductors, information and communication, and manufacturing supply chains, has seen its economic growth rate revised upward from 9.64% to 11.05%, potentially setting a new high in 39 years. Therefore, the 2025 central government budget, under the premise of revenue-expenditure balance and zero net borrowing, will add NT$235.7 billion in expenditures to distribute NT$10,000 to each citizen in 2025, aiming to 'share the benefits of AI with everyone.' However, the KMT legislative caucus pointed out that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen by 2.54%, and the Producer Price Index (PPI) has surged to 16.94%. Even with impressive economic figures, this does not mean every household's table is improving. Energy and raw material prices are rising, and everyone is feeling the pinch. 'Lai Ching-te himself said that cash handouts can ease household burdens, increase consumption, and support local businesses and craftsmen. If the effects are so good, is NT$10,000 enough? The KMT advocates for everyone to receive NT$20,000,' they argued. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (right) and KMT caucus convener Fu Kwo-chi (center) shake hands in greeting. (Photo by Liu Wei-hung). Fu Kwo-chi, during an interview at the Legislative Yuan, told the media that tax over-collection should be returned to the people. 'NT$20,000, NT$30,000, these are what the people urgently need and suffer from,' he said. The KMT supports cash handouts and will fully promote them. The KMT caucus will also actively review the budget, especially since this year's economic growth rate far exceeds last year's. Last year, NT$10,000 was distributed, and the KMT caucus will further discuss whether to plan for NT$20,000 or NT$30,000. 'We will fully promote the cash handout and actively review the budget,' he emphasized, also hoping that the country can hear the Legislative Yuan's response. Fu Kwo-chi said that he hopes Premier Chen Chien-jen will use a broader perspective to work for Taiwan and cooperate well with Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, allowing Taiwan to develop stably without party strife. He also hopes Chen Chien-jen can cherish Taiwan's hard-won democracy and let the democratic system continue. He also said that he and Han Kuo-yu only have a greater 'I' and no smaller 'I.' Only through unity and solidarity can Taiwan be won back, and the people can be blessed.