As China launched three days of military drills outside Taiwan, a senior U.S. legislator offered to assist in training Taiwan’s military and expedite weapon deliveries.
China announced the drills the day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen returned to Taipei from Los Angeles, where she visited U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, aggravating Beijing.
Michael McCaul, chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, said at lunch in Taipei, sponsored by Tsai for his bipartisan group, that democracies must support Taiwan.
“As the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, I sign off on all foreign military sales, including arms to Taiwan,” he stated.
Since last year, Taiwan has complained of delays in U.S. armaments, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as producers provide Ukraine to defend against Russia.
“We are doing all we can in Congress to speed up these sales and provide the guns you need to defend yourselves,” Republican McCaul said.
“And we will train your military—not for war, but for peace,” he continued. “Weakness fosters hostility and strife. Strength deters and encourages peace.”
When Washington cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 to favor Beijing, the US remained Taiwan’s principal arms supplier and maintained a tight military alliance.
The U.S. has long provided weapon system training and comprehensive advice on improving its military to defend against a Chinese invasion.
Taiwanese fighter pilots train in the U.S.
Two U.S. officials told Reuters in February that more troops will train the Taiwanese military.
In 2021, Reuters reported that a limited number of U.S. special operations personnel were training the Taiwanese military.
Taiwan is Beijing and Washington’s most contentious subject.
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