TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday (April 23) for talks on regional security with Taiwanese government officials.
The three-member group includes Representatives Dan Kildee, Lisa McClain, and Mark Alford, the latter two are members of the House Armed Services Committee. They are scheduled to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德), and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) to discuss Taiwan-US relations, the situation in the Taiwan Strait , and regional security, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
This visit demonstrates US Congress’ solid support for Taiwan and the security of the Taiwan Strait, MOFA said. It will also help deepen their understanding of Taiwan and promote a closer Taiwan-US partnership in the future, the ministry added.
The lawmakers’ visit comes after the House approved supplemental funding for Taiwan’s defense as part of a US$95 billion (NT$3.1 trillion) multi-bill aid package that also allocates assistance for Ukraine and Israel on April 20. The bill, introduced by House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, sets aside US$8.12 billion for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.
Of that, US$2 billion in Foreign Military Financing goes to Taiwan and other US regional security partners to combat Chinese aggression, and US$1.9 billion is for replenishing defense articles and defense services provided to Taiwan and regional partners.
Taiwan has yet to receive many weapons systems, including a variety of missiles, F-16Vs, and Abrams tanks it previously purchased from the US There is currently a backlog of weapons orders for Taiwan worth $19.2 billion.
US lawmakers have been trying to speed up the delivery of arms to Taiwan to ensure it has the equipment necessary to beef up its military amid increased Chinese military activity in the Taiwan Strait.
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