TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a regular press conference on Tuesday (Dec. 19), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Spokesperson Jeff Liu expressed gratitude for the concern and attention to Taiwan's security demonstrated in various forms by friends in the U.S. Congress.
The engagement comes as the U.S. military has recently observed an increase in provocative actions by China around the Taiwan Strait ahead of the Taiwanese presidential election.
Admiral John Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has perceived these actions as pressure tactics on the Taiwanese people and called for restraint from China on Dec. 18.
In correspondence to the escalation, U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher reached out to U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks in a letter, urging the Pentagon to provide a classified briefing on assisting Taiwan in deterring China.
Gallagher highlighted the urgent need for the US to reconstruct "an arsenal of deterrence" to strengthen the armed forces of both Taiwan and the US.
Liu thanked the US government for fulfilling its security commitments to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. He emphasized Taiwan's commitment to bolstering its self-defense capabilities to protect national security and safeguard the welfare, freedom, and democratic lifestyle of its people.
He stated that peace is the only option across the strait, with Taiwan holding the greatest goodwill and readiness for dialogue with Beijing authorities under conditions of rationality, equality, and mutual respect.
Liu declared that despite pressure, the Taiwanese government will continue to pursue a non-provocative, cautious stance without conceding, defending national sovereignty and the democratic freedom of its citizens.
In regards to China's threats of countermeasures against U.S. firms involved in arms sales to Taiwan, Liu expressed regret and affirmed that the Foreign Ministry would continue urging the U.S. to fulfill its security promises to Taiwan, including the continuous sale of necessary defense weapons.
