Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu’s (韓國瑜) delegation yesterday met with White House and US Department of Defense officials in Washington, where it was reaffirmed that the US’ commitment to Taiwan remains unchanged, people familiar with the matter said.
An unnamed US official reiterated Washington’s stance on Taiwan to Han, said a source who accompanied the delegation.
However, the agency and the official’s specific position were not clarified.
Photo: CNA
Han’s cross-party delegation on Wednesday met with seven US senators and later more than 30 US representatives at a reception hosted by Taiwan’s representative office in the US, where the lawmakers pledged firm support for Taiwan.
In addition to meeting with officials from the US executive branch yesterday, the delegation visited the Heritage Foundation think tank and attended an overseas Taiwanese community banquet in the evening.
Han emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy at the banquet, saying that Taiwan is already isolated, as no major country maintains official diplomatic relations with it.
Even if lawmakers fight and argue fiercely within the Legislative Yuan, they must present a united front in external affairs, Han said to the tripartisan delegation.
When parliamentary diplomacy goes well, overseas Taiwanese feel proud and Taiwan gains more confidence, Han said, acknowledging the efforts of lawmakers in the delegation.
US support for Taiwan is “rock solid,” Representative to the US Alexander Yui (俞大㵢) told the banquet, adding that the delegation has met members of the US executive branch and US Congress, as well as experts and academics.
Han’s delegation includes seven legislators: Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators Lin Shih-ming (林思銘), Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) and Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔), Democratic Progressive Party legislators Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷), Leland Lee (李柏毅) and Jean Kuo (郭昱晴), and Taiwan People's Party Legislator Hung Yu-hsiang (洪毓祥).
The delegation’s discussions with the Heritage Foundation focused on Taiwan-US asymmetrical defense cooperation and Taiwan’s local defense systems, as well as the efficacy of dialogue with China.
Members of the think tank emphasized that Taiwan must swiftly develop asymmetric defense capabilities tailored to its own defense needs, Chen Kuan-ting said yesterday.
These capabilities include uncrewed systems and anti-ship missiles, as well as related sensors, communications and command-and-control systems, Chen said.
The US continues to show strong interest in Taiwan’s efforts to localize its defense industry, enhance its uncrewed systems capabilities and deepen joint production, Chen said.
In addition, participants stressed that while communication with Beijing is important, if China’s “gray zone” harassment against Taiwan continues, it would be necessary to examine whether such talks would actually reduce risk, build trust and produce results, he said.
The delegation is today scheduled to attend a ceremony for EVA Air’s inaugural Taipei-Washington flight and then take it back to Taiwan.
Additional reporting by Chen Cheng-yu
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