Visiting US representatives yesterday reiterated staunch US support for Taiwan, and pledged to continue strengthening security, economic and social relationships with the nation.
“By standing with Taiwan we send a clear message to Beijing and to the world. The United States will not waver in our commitment to defend freedom and uphold the principles of democracy,” US Representative Lisa McClain told a news conference in Taipei.
The bipartisan delegation’s visit was to look for ways that “we can strengthen this already strong relationship, as well as the bonds between the American and Taiwanese people,” US Representative Dan Kildee said.
Photo: CNA
“Let no one doubt our support for ... Taiwan, for your people and our bright future together,” US Representative Mark Alford said.
The three lawmakers commended the resilience of Taiwanese in the face of constant threats from an authoritarian neighbor.
The US Congress is strengthening Washington’s security and economic ties with Taipei with concrete actions, such as the US House of Representatives last week approving a foreign aid package with US$8 billion for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, Kildee said.
The US Senate was due to vote yesterday on US$95 billion in aid to Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel.
“When it comes to the need that Taiwan has to defend itself against any aggression, the United States will be there,” Kildee said.
Asked about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing today, McClain said that she hoped Blinken would underline the importance of peace.
“China’s not our friend economically, educationally and militarily,” she said, adding that the US should “stand strong as a leader” for itself, and for the free world and democracy.
Kildee also urged Blinken to voice concerns over China’s provocative actions in the Indo-Pacific region, threats to freedom of navigation, unfair trade and economic practices, and violations of human rights.
Earlier yesterday, the delegation met with president-elect William Lai (賴清德), who vowed to build on the efforts of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and continue bolstering the relationship between Taiwan and the US.
The vice president pledged to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait after taking office on May 20, adding that he is looking forward to deeper cooperation with like-minded nations such as the US.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which lays a solid foundation for the relations between Taiwan and the US, and serves as an important cornerstone of peace across the Taiwan Strait and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, Lai said during a meeting with the delegation.
Over the past 45 years, the US Congress has always been steadfast in its support for Taiwan by passing Taiwan-friendly legislation to help strengthen the nation’s self-defense capabilities and deepen bilateral cooperation, he said.
The foreign aid package passed by the US House would bolster deterrence against authoritarian expansion and help enhance the confidence of Indo-Pacific nations in the US’ role in safeguarding regional democracy, he said.
The economic and trade relationship between the two sides has also been growing, which is not only beneficial to people and businesses in Taiwan and the US, but could help bolster economic resilience, he said.
McClain underlined the importance of bolstering ties between the US and Taiwan as it would also promote peace around the world.
The US cherishes its relationship with Taiwan, including military cooperation and economic exchanges, she said.
As a member of the US House Ways and Means Committee, Kildee said that he was glad to see the development of the economic and trade relationship between Taipei and Washington, adding that he hopes a second agreement under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade would be finalized soon.
The delegation is to meet with Tsai today and conclude the visit tomorrow.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old