Taiwan's government says next year's NT$10,000 cash handout to every citizen will be funded without new borrowing, which it frames as good news for people and for the country's finances.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai said last year's handout required borrowing, but next year's budget is balanced with no deficit and no new debt.
• He rejected opposition claims of "double standards" and of draining the country, calling the plan wealth-sharing instead.
• An extra NT$235.7 billion is being added for an "AI dividend" shared with the public, without cutting the six existing spending areas.
• Cho complained that this year's budget review dragged on for nearly a year and gutted funding for anti-fraud work, culture, and public broadcasting.
• Outstanding government debt as a share of the economy is at its lowest level in decades, he said.

Outlook: The fight now moves to the legislature, where the opposition-controlled chamber will decide how much of the budget survives.