President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged the US to expand bilateral defense cooperation from traditional arms sales to joint research and production of military equipment, particularly uncrewed systems.
Lai made the comments during meetings with two visiting US congressional delegations, one led by US Representative Brendan Boyle, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, and another by US Senator Michael Bennet.
During the meeting with the delegation led by Boyle, the president thanked the US Congress for its “enduring and steadfast” support.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
Taiwan holds a key position on the First Island Chain and has an unwavering resolve to defend peace across the Taiwan Strait, “but also firmly believes that peace can only be secured through strength,” Lai said.
“We look forward to further deepening defense cooperation with the US and moving progressively from military procurement to joint research and development and joint production,” Lai added.
Democratic countries should stand united and cooperate closely to safeguard the values and way of life upon which their existence depends, he said.
Boyle said that Americans and Taiwanese are deeply connected by shared values.
“Our democracies, as imperfect as they may be, are a shining example to those around the world who are still struggling to be free,” which is especially the case for some nations in Asia, he said.
During a meeting with the delegation headed by Bennet, Lai said Taiwan’s efforts to increase investment in national defense showed a change in the way the nation defends itself, such as introducing emerging technology into the national defense sector.
Taiwan looks forward to working with the US to build a non-red drone supply chain, and to more industrial exchanges, Lai said.
Bennet commended the Legislative Yuan’s approval of the special budget for military procurement and the more than US$7 billion for building uncrewed systems in Taiwan.
He said he would continue to work with his colleagues in Congress to ensure the full implementation the Taiwan Relations Act and the “six assurances.”
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