US House Committee on Armed Services Chairman Howard McKeon on Thursday voiced his support for Taiwan’s efforts to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) international military group exercise and for the transfer of US technology to help Taiwan build its own submarines.
“We have some influence and we will push to see that they [Taiwan’s armed forces] are invited next time” to take part in RIMPAC, McKeon said in an interview just before he and his congressional delegation wrapped up a two-day visit.
He said Taiwan’s participation in the US-led RIMPAC, the world’s largest maritime exercise, would help build a stronger relationship.
McKeon said the issue was raised during his meetings with Minister of National Defense Yen Ming (嚴明) and National Security Council Secretary-General King Pu-tsung (金溥聰).
This year’s exercise, held near Hawaii from June 26 to Friday last week, marked the first time that China participated.
McKeon, who arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday as part of a trip to East Asia, also met President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Thursday.
During the meeting, Ma reiterated the nation’s desire for diesel-electric submarines to strengthen defense capabilities.
Asked about the issue, McKeon said the committee is “united in support of helping Taiwan, the people of Taiwan, with the things they need to defend themselves,” and that most US congressional members would also be supportive.
Members of the US delegation met with Taiwanese officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin (林永樂) and navy officers, to discuss the nation’s needs in terms of submarines, frigates and warplanes, among other matters, McKeon said.
The delegation supports Taiwan’s needs and wants “to go back to Washington and try to convince our colleagues to be supportive,” he said.
On submarines, he said the US needs to help provide the technology because Taiwan wants to build them itself.
McKeon is scheduled to go next to South Korea and Japan before wrapping up his trip in Hawaii.
His trip started with a visit to China, but he was not able to meet with Chinese leaders because he insisted on visiting Taiwan even though Beijing asked him not to, he said.
Several meetings in China were thus canceled, he added.
“I think it was a mistake,” McKeon said of China’s reaction.
“Taiwan, China, Japan and South Korea are important places and it is important to visit them and talk to their leaders,” he said.
In South Korea and Japan, the delegation will meet with leaders there, the congressman added.
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