A group of visiting US senators today highlighted the importance of "peace through strength," while calling on Taiwan to swiftly pass a special defense budget bill to fund planned purchases of US weapons systems for self-defense.
"Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential to the global economy and to our shared prosperity," Democratic US Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters at the Presidential Office.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Washington has a "clear interest" in ensuring its commitments to Taiwan's security "remain credible," she added.
Republican Senator John Curtis, who alongside Shaheen is leading the bipartisan delegation that also includes Thom Tillis and Jacky Rosen, said that he had lived in Taiwan in 1979 as a missionary and witnessed Taiwanese society transform into a democracy and become one of the world's leading economies.
"We're here to reinforce that message and demonstrate to the people here in Taiwan that we are together a very important part of safety and unity around the world," he said.
"I'd like to personally endorse the special defense budget and tell you that, back in Washington DC, my colleagues are watching — this is important," he added.
Meanwhile, Tillis said that a shortfall in defense spending by NATO over the past two decades "may be one of the reasons that [Russian President] Vladimir Putin felt emboldened to launch his incursion into Ukraine."
"As we go forward and celebrate Taiwan's decades-long pursuit of life and liberty, please note that your defense and your peace can only come through strength — and that strength comes from taking action to support the Taiwanese people and your continued safety and sovereignty," he said.
Rosen, who is making her first trip to Taiwan, said that although the US remains committed to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and to ensuring Taiwan's ability to protect itself, "Taiwan must continue to invest in its own defense capabilities, as deterrence is essential to maintaining stability."
The four senators made their remarks following a meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office this morning.
During the meeting, Lai told the senators that a government-proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.07 billion) special defense budget is the most comprehensive proposal, while also calling on lawmakers to pass it as soon as possible.
During their two-day stay, the US delegation is to also meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The discussions are to focus on issues related to US-Taiwan relations, regional security and other matters of mutual interest, the ministry said in a news release.
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