In response to China’s growing military threat, two senior Republican senators have arrived in Taipei to discuss security.
Senators Deb Fischer and Roger Wicker, the head of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, both stated on Friday that their visit was intended to strengthen and emphasize Taiwan’s “great partnership.”
Before meeting with President William Lai Ching-te and other government officials, Wicker told reporters, “We stand here again to reiterate the partnership and the security and friendship that the United States has had with Taiwan for a while.”
The US Senate will consider the nearly $1 trillion bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, as it prepares to consider it next week.
Wicker, who provided no further information, claimed that the NDAA this year would “add to the provisions again” when it came to Taiwan.
Senator Fischer stated in a statement prior to the trip that she was looking forward to the visit “to see firsthand how we can strengthen our posture in the region in order to safeguard American interests and our allies.”
Fischer is also a member of the powerful Armed Services Committee, which oversees US military legislation.
Wicker and other lawmakers were urged by the Chinese Embassy to postpone travel to Taiwan last month.
Beijing frequently denounces any demonstrations of support for Taipei from Washington, which views the island as its own territory.
In recent years, China has increased its military presence in Taiwan, including hosting war games, and Beijing has never abandoned the use of force to enslave Taiwan.
As some members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, expressed concern that US President Donald Trump is underscoring security issues as he works to reach an agreement on trade with China, leading to the senators’ trip.
After Beijing objected, the Trump administration reportedly denied Taiwan’s Lai’s request to transit through New York as part of a planned official trip to Latin America. The trip was then reportedly cancelled by Lai.
Trump’s continued commitment to Asia-Pacific security issues as he pursues his trade agenda, good personal relationships with Xi Jinping, according to administration officials.
Despite having no formal diplomatic ties, the US is Taiwan’s most significant international supporter and supplier of weapons.
In order to strengthen its military supply chains and promote mobility across the Asia Pacific, the US announced on Saturday that it was considering opening new locations in Palau and Australia for the West Pacific’s stockpiling equipment.
Source: Aljazeera
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