TAIPEI, Taiwan — Weapons Taiwan ordered from the United States are arriving, a senior U.S. lawmaker said Monday, as a bipartisan House delegation met with the new president of Taiwan, a territory claimed by Beijing.
Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that rejects China’s claims of sovereignty, has complained about delays in the delivery of U.S.-made weapons it says are crucial to defending it against a potential invasion by Beijing, which has not ruled out using force to achieve its aims.
“We are making progress on these weapons systems,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told a news conference in Taipei after meeting with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te along with other lawmakers. “I would like to see them sooner, but they are coming soon.”
McCaul said the importance of these weapons was underscored by a “fleet” of Chinese ships and aircraft that conducted “punitive” drills around Taiwan last week in response to Lai’s inaugural address, in which the former vice president called on China to stop intimidation and “face the reality” of Taiwan’s existence.
In translated remarks before a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, Lai said the delegation’s visit “demonstrates your steadfast support for the new government and the people of Taiwan.”
Although the United States does not have formal relations with Taiwan, it is Taiwan’s most important international backer.
Congress passed an aid package last month that included about $2 billion in support for Taiwan’s military, an investment McCaul argues is crucial to maintaining peace in the region and forcing China to question the value of attacking its neighbor.
“They need to demonstrate that the consequences are so severe that the risks outweigh the benefits,” McCaul said in an interview with NBC News on Monday.
“First of all, we have to get these weapons.”
China has stepped up military and other pressure on Taiwan in recent years, sending military aircraft and warships toward the island on an almost daily basis. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said on Monday that as of 6 a.m. local time, it had spotted 21 Chinese military aircraft, 11 Chinese naval vessels and four China Coast Guard vessels around Taiwan in the past 24 hours.
At a news conference, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-long told U.S. lawmakers that last week’s joint military exercises were China’s “way of welcoming the delegation” and that “the visit at this important time is a strong gesture.”
China opposes visits to Taiwan by delegations of foreign lawmakers such as the McCaul-led delegation, which was sanctioned by Beijing after a similar visit to Taiwan in April 2023.
China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the visit by the U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan violated U.S. commitments to maintain informal ties with the island and that it had lodged “strong protests.”
“China firmly opposes military ties between the United States and Taiwan, opposes the militarization of Taiwan, and urges relevant U.S. lawmakers to stop playing the Taiwan card,” spokesman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing in Beijing.
In addition to McCaul, the delegation also includes Reps. Young Kim of California, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Andy Barr of Kentucky, Jimmy Panetta of California and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.
McCaul added that the United States will continue to support Taiwan regardless of whether President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump wins the US presidential election in November.
“When it comes to Taiwan, I don’t see either candidate taking a soft stance against China,” he said in an interview.
