Taiwan's premier approved a KMT-backed drone and defense bill he could have blocked, and Huang Kuo-chang says the government is picking and choosing which laws it signs for political reasons.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai countersigned the opposition-written bill on boosting home-grown defense and the drone industry, clearing it into law.
• Huang Kuo-chang, who leads the Taiwan People's Party, points out that Cho has refused to sign other bills by saying they broke budget rules or the separation of powers.
• This bill also commits big money and policy, so signing it looks inconsistent — Huang's jab is that the real test seems to be whether President Lai is kept happy.
• His party's stated concern is whether the drone industry actually gets the rules, support and sensible spending it needs, not who wins the fight.
• The broader worry is that the checks between the cabinet and the legislature weaken if approval depends on party interest.

Outlook: Expect the fight over which bills the cabinet will sign to keep flaring as Taiwan heads into local election campaigning.