US lawmaker says Taiwan weapons are coming, Chinese exercises show need for deterrence

Taipei: A senior U.S. lawmaker visiting Taipei said Monday that Taiwan has ordered troops finally on the way and that China's “intimidating” war drills last week underscored the need to strengthen China's deterrence capabilities. the island.

China claims democratic governance of Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. The Taiwanese government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Taiwan has complained for two years about delays in deliveries of US weapons, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, while manufacturers supply Ukraine to support its defense against Russia.

Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who promised the weapons would be delivered during his visit to Taiwan last year, said the Chinese military “armada” had sent the last week a very strong message to the United States.

“We're making progress on these weapons systems. I wish it would go faster, but they're coming,” McCaul told reporters after meeting with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

Taiwan must have enough weapons to show Chinese President Xi Jinping that the risk outweighs the benefits of invading the island, he added.

“President Lai and I, as always, had a very sober but very direct conversation about the threat to this island from its northern neighbor, and it is real,” McCaul said. “Without deterrence, President Xi has bold and aggressive ambitions.”

Last year, China imposed sanctions on McCaul after he visited Taiwan and met with then-President Tsai Ing-wen.