Taiwanese love democracy and seek peace, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday, adding that Taipei would continue to work with the US and other democracies as the nation faces “continued authoritarian expansionism” from China.
Tsai made the comments at the start of a lunch with a visiting delegation of US lawmakers, hours after Beijing announced three days of military exercises around Taiwan.
“In recent years we have faced continued authoritarian expansionism,” Tsai said.
Photo: CNA
“Cooperation among democracies has become even more important. We will continue to work with the US and other like-minded countries to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy,” she said, adding that “the people of Taiwan love democracy, seek peace and are keen to fulfill their responsibility in the international community.”
She also thanked the US Congress for being “a key force” in promoting relations between Taipei and Washington.
US Representative Michael McCaul, who led the visiting delegation, said they were in Taipei to show their strong support of Taiwan and that it was important that democracies stand together.
Photo: CNA
“As the [US] House [of Representatives] Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, I sign off on all foreign military sales, including weapons to Taiwan, and I promise you, Madam President, we will deliver those weapons,” he said.
Taiwan has since last year complained of delays regarding deliveries of US weapons, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers seek to supply Ukraine to support its defense against Russia.
“We are doing everything we can in Congress to speed up these sales and get the weapons that you need to defend yourselves,” McCaul said.
McCaul, without elaborating, also said the US would provide training for the Taiwanese military in an effort to enhance the latter’s defensive capabilities.
“We will provide training to your military — not for war, but for peace,” he said. “Projecting weakness only invites aggression and conflict. Projecting strength provides deterrence and promotes peace.”
McCaul on Thursday arrived in Taiwan for a three-day visit, as part of a wider Indo-Pacific tour that also includes stops in Japan and South Korea.
The eight-member delegation also includes US representatives Guy Reschenthaler; Young Kim, chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific; and Ami Bera, also a member of the foreign affairs committee.
The delegation has also met with executives of Taiwanese semiconductor and defense companies over the past few days.
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