Strengthened relationships between the United States and Taiwan called for by a US senator
Minister Chiu Chui-cheng, Taiwan's Council Minister, is currently visiting the United States from September 13 to September 14. During his visit, he will deliver a speech on cross-strait relations at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.
The focus of Minister Chiu's speech will be Taipei's assessment of the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the government's cross-strait policy. He will also discuss with senior research fellow Steve Yates at the Heritage Foundation, "how a free, secure and prosperous Taiwan contributes to regional stability and makes America's position stronger on the world stage."
The US Senate Armed Services Committee is committed to ensuring Washington and Taipei make the necessary investments needed to bolster deterrence networks and combat readiness. Senator Deb Fischer, a key figure in these efforts, recently returned from an official trip to the Indo-Pacific region. During her visit, she toured US military bases in Hawaii and Guam, and met with leaders, including President William Lai of Taiwan.
Senator Fischer has emphasised the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region for the security interests of the US and its partners. She has also urged her colleagues in the US Congress to deepen Washington's cooperation with Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific partners to contain the global security threat from China.
Senator Fischer has highlighted that Taiwan has made remarkable progress in bolstering its self-defense in recent years. However, she has also expressed concern over the Chinese Communist Party's increasing campaign to threaten, pressure, and isolate Taiwan. Any conflict in the Taiwan Strait could disrupt global trade routes and spark a worldwide crisis.
In a recent meeting in Alaska, Taiwanese official Hsu Szu-chien met with US officials to explain the government's cross-strait policy and encourage broader attention to Taiwan Strait issues. Minister Chiu will continue this dialogue, meeting with US officials from the executive and legislative branches, as well as experts at think tanks and members of Taiwanese communities in the US.
The US and Taiwanese defense officials held talks in Alaska last week, a development that underscores the strategic importance of the relationship between the two nations. For Senator Fischer, Taiwan is the test case for US credibility in upholding a free and open rules-based order. If Taiwan were to fall under coercion, the consequences would reverberate far beyond the Taiwan Strait, shaking the confidence of allies and emboldening adversaries worldwide.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
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