A United States (US) Congressional delegation visiting Taiwan said Friday (1/9) that the US would act if the island was attacked. The delegation also vowed to resolve obstacles to Taiwan’s US$19 billion defense spending from the US.
“Know that any unprovoked attack on Taiwan will result in a strong reaction from the US,” Rob Wittman, deputy chairman of the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, said in a speech ahead of a meeting with President Tsai Ing-Wen.
US law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and to treat any threat to the island as “grave concern,” but it remains unclear whether Taiwan will use force in response to an attack from China.
Member of Parliament Rob Wittman on Capitol Hill, on February 28, 2023, in Washington. (Photo: AP)
Wittman from the state of Virginia, along with Carlos Gimenez from Florida and Jen Kiggans from Virginia, arrived on Thursday (31/8) for a three-day visit to Taiwan. The three Republicans met with Tsai and Taiwan National Security Council Chief Wellington Koo.
Taiwan is a self-governing island claimed by China and has faced increased military intimidation in recent years as Chinese fighter jets and naval vessels hold daily drills aimed at the island, often approaching or encircling it. Over the years, to bolster its defenses, Taiwan has purchased $19 billion worth of military equipment from the US, but most of it remains undelivered.
America has begun to find new ways to support Taiwan in defense assistance. In July, the United States announced $345 million in military aid in a massive package drawn from America’s own arms stockpile.
On Wednesday (30/8), the Biden administration approved the first shipment of US military aid to Taiwan under a program generally reserved for aid to sovereign and independent nations. The amount is modest, at $80 million, and officials did not specify what the money would actually be used for. (lt/ab)