Congressmen from the American House of Representatives landed in Taiwan yesterday to kick-start a three-day visit to meet various leaders and discuss defense and investment matters.
The delegation is led by Congressman Jack Bergman who heads the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. He is joined by fellow congress officials Jimmy Panetta and Don Norcross.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the “Intelligence and Special Operations” group. The MOFA noted that US Congress has consistently arranged for cross-party visits to Taiwan during the recent recession periods, characterizing it a demonstration of “strong support for Taiwan from both parties in Congress.”
The visit also coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which outlined the basis for non-diplomatic, yet substantial talks between the US and Taiwan.
Bergman and company are set to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te as well as Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim to discuss regional security, trade, and more urgently, the cross-strait situation.
The occasion is on the heels of a renewed expression of concern by the US State Department, which earlier this week affirmed the “importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
For his part, Bergman has also recently condemned China, Taiwan’s primary aggressor. In a statement, Bergman lambasted what he claimed are active measures by Beijing to purchase American farm lands.
He explained, “it is imperative that we protect our farmers and agricultural land from adversaries of the United States who wish to do us harm.”
Tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait have resurfaced lately as coast guard deployment has been spotted straddling territorial lines.
For its part, the US, a rival to China, has voiced its support for Taiwanese independence and just this week passed legislation to supply Taiwan with greater military aid.
Taiwan’s geopolitical place is known to be crucial to American containment of China in the Pacific.
On March 23, President Joe Biden signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2024 granting approximately US$330 million in military assistance and training. The law also accelerates arms delivery to Taiwan for the future.
MOFA thanked Washington for their support in security matters. The boost, it said, aligns with the government’s strategic goals to “advance national defense-related reforms, strengthen self-defense capabilities, and coordinate and cooperate closely with the United States.”
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TNL Editor: Michael Beltran (@thenewslensintl)
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