- The bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation has pledged continued support to Taiwan following the recent approval of $300 million in military aid.
- Congress considers Taiwan a strategic ally, even though it has not formally recognized it as a country.
- Congressman Jack Bergman led the delegation, stressing the importance of the Taiwan-US partnership in regional security.
A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation pledged continued support to Taiwan on Thursday, days after Congress approved $300 million in military aid to the autonomous island claimed by China.
Congress also approved $400 million on Saturday as part of the National Defense Appropriations Act to counter Beijing’s influence in the region.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that should be brought under its control by force if necessary. The Chinese government has been sending warships and fighter jets near the island daily to increase military pressure.
Taiwan stands as a major line of defense against a global war with China and is vital to U.S. security.
The United States, like many countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a country. But the island is bound by U.S. law to be able to defend itself and considers any threat to Taiwan a matter of “grave concern.”
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (right) poses for a photo with Congresswoman Jack Bergman in Taipei, Taiwan, on March 28, 2024. Bergman led a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation that pledged continued support for Taiwan on Thursday, days after Congress approved $300 million in military aid to the autonomous island claimed by China. I’m there. (Taiwan Presidential Office, Associated Press)
The delegation, led by Representative Jack Bergman, chairman of the House Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, sought to reassure Taiwan’s leadership of continued support.
“I continue to assure my colleagues that our strategic relationship is key to the future security of the region,” Bergman said in a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
“This includes Taiwan’s strong maritime strategy and how we can work together toward common goals in countering an increasingly aggressive China in the region,” the Michigan Republican said. said.
Tsai expressed gratitude to the Biden administration and Congress for supporting Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its self-defense.
“This assistance will continue to strengthen the partnership between Taiwan and the United States,” she said.
A Defense Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing that China firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to what he called China’s Taiwan region.
“We strongly urge the US side to adhere to the one-China principle, refrain from harming China’s sovereignty and security interests, and refrain from interfering in China’s internal affairs,” Senior Colonel Wu Qian said at a monthly briefing. .
The U.S. delegation also includes Democratic Congressman Donald Norcross of New Jersey and Congressman Jimmy Panetta of California. The lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday and are expected to stay until Friday.
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The two leaders also met with Taiwan’s Vice President and President-elect William Lai, and Vice President-elect Bi-Kim Hsiao. Taiwan’s new government will be inaugurated on May 20th.
China prohibits countries with which it has diplomatic relations from officially communicating with Taipei and regularly criticizes visits by U.S. officials to Taipei.
Following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022, China dispatched warships and military aircraft around the island and froze a range of exchanges with the United States, including military communications.
China and the United States have restored military-to-military contacts after a flurry of diplomatic exchanges in recent months culminated in presidential talks in San Francisco in November.
Taiwan has expressed concern in recent months about China’s expansion of military bases near the island, but says it wants to avoid escalating tensions with China.
