Lawmakers pledge support and arms to Taiwan as tensions with China escalate

A congressional delegation, which visited Taiwan on Monday to meet with newly elected Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te, vowed to support the island nation amid growing tensions with China.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), co-chair of the Taiwan caucus, said the United States is committed to supporting Taiwan's military both diplomatically and economically, the Associated Press reported.

“There should be no doubt, there should be no skepticism in the United States, in Taiwan or anywhere else in the world, about the American determination to maintain the status quo and peace across the Taiwan Strait,” he said. Barr said at a new conference in Taipei after the meeting. with Lai.

A few days ago, China launched new military exercises around Taiwan, just after the self-governing island took its oath of office in Lai. China criticized the new leader for escalating tensions in his inaugural speech and military exercises, which include ships and aircraft, followed.

Lai called the U.S. delegation's visit “an important gesture of solidarity” at a critical time, the AP reported.

Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) were joined by Rep. Michael McCaul, Speaker of the House . Foreign Affairs Committee, traveling.

Their visit follows the approval of a military aid bill, which sends U.S. funds to countries in need, including Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said at a news conference Monday that the lawmakers' visit sends a signal to China, which “firmly opposes” the trip and has made “serious protests to UNITED STATES “.

“China firmly opposes the US-Taiwan military contract and any attempt to arm Taiwan,” Mao said. “We urge relevant members of the US Congress to stop playing the 'Taiwan card', stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and stop supporting and colluding with 'Taiwan' separatist forces. Taiwan independence”, and stop undermining China-US relations as well as cross-Strait peace and stability.”

Lai won the election in January after campaigning for closer relations with Washington, although the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation due to its one-China policy.

In January, China warned it would make “no concessions or compromises” on the self-governing nation.

The Biden administration said Saturday that U.S. officials were “deeply concerned” about the exercises and warned China to “act with restraint.” Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said the military exercises jeopardized peace and stability in the region.

Earlier this year, U.S. Admiral John Aquilino, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, said “all indications” indicate that the Chinese military would be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. He argued that China would attempt to unify with Taiwan by other means but does not rule out the use of military force if other efforts fail.

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