U.S. Congress 結果共15筆

A bipartisan group of Members of the U.S. Congress introduced a resolution reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). The resolution covers the House’s commitment to the TRA, calls on the Secretary of State to actively assist Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and recognizes the significant contributions of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in advancing U.S.-Taiwan interests.

President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan are set to meet with U.S. Select Committee on the CCP Chairman Mike Gallagher and a bipartisan delegation to discuss Taiwan-U.S. trade and the Indo-Pacific regional situation. The visit underscores the strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress for Taiwan and aims to deepen exchanges and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus co-chairs, Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Democratic Representative Ami Bera, are visiting Taiwan from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, 2024. This marks their first visit to Taiwan in recent years, symbolizing their bipartisan commitment to Taiwan’s democracy. Their visit comes after Taiwan’s presidential election, celebrating the victory of Taiwan’s democracy. Diaz-Balart and Bera will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President and President-elect Lai Ching-te, and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. Talks are scheduled with Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim and other Taiwanese political leaders. Both Diaz-Balart and Bera have been long-standing friends of Taiwan, often leading or proposing initiatives and bills supportive of Taiwan. The Congressional Taiwan Caucus is the largest secondary body in U.S. Congress relating to foreign affairs. Their visit reemphasizes the U.S. Congress’ support for Taiwan, following the 2024 presidential election and marking the 45th legislative anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to deepen Taiwan-U.S. relations based on shared values and the U.S. Congress’s support.

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY2024 NDAA), which includes a comprehensive training program for Taiwan’s military. The program aims to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and will be overseen by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The legislation, which has received approval from both houses of the U.S. Congress, allocates a total of US＄886 billion for this purpose. The training program will focus on layered defense, asymmetric defense strategies, cross-communication between the U.S. and Taiwan’s military, information sharing, and the improvement of professional military education and civilian control over the military. Additionally, the act emphasizes collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan on military cyber security and requires regular updates on Taiwan arm sales proceedings. It also mandates the Secretary of Defense to submit biannual reports to Congress on the military developments of the People’s Republic of China, particularly in areas such as Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea, covering topics such as weapon upgrades, procurement, and military operations.

The U.S. Air Force is actively exploring options to expedite the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, with 136 upgraded aircraft already delivered and the final three on the way. An additional 66 new jets are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2026. Concerns were raised by over 20 Republican members of Congress that the promised deliveries to Taiwan might be delayed due to commitments to Ukraine, Israel, and global security issues. Taiwan’s existing F-16 upgrade program has already faced significant delays due to a lack of crucial parts, and the delivery of the new jets has been postponed by over 15 months due to software development complexities. Lawmakers are committed to collaborating with the Pentagon to ensure the timely delivery of the jets, especially in light of China’s frequent military drills near Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson expressed gratitude for the concern shown by friends in the U.S. Congress regarding Taiwan’s security. The U.S. military has observed increased 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 called for restraint from China, perceiving these actions as pressure tactics. U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher urged the Pentagon to provide a classified briefing on assisting Taiwan in deterring China. Taiwan is committed to bolstering its self-defense capabilities and pursuing peace through dialogue with Beijing authorities. Despite pressure, Taiwan will maintain a non-provocative stance while defending national sovereignty and democratic freedom. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over China’s threats of countermeasures against U.S. firms involved in arms sales to Taiwan and emphasized the need for the U.S. to fulfill its security promises.

The George Washington University Professor Robert Sutter argues that Taiwan’s elections have little impact on U.S. policy towards the island, but the upcoming U.S. presidential election in 2024 could be significant. Both political parties in the U.S. and Congress have prioritized defending American interests and countering China’s actions, with Taiwan playing an increasingly important role. Taiwan’s strategic position, high-tech development, democratic politics, and free market economy have influenced the international order and led to stronger U.S. support. Sutter predicts that if Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate, wins the election, U.S.-Taiwan cooperation will further deepen. However, Sutter also suggests that the 2024 U.S. election, particularly if a candidate with an ＂America First＂ stance like Donald Trump prevails, could bring a shift in U.S. policy consistency towards Taiwan and pose challenges in countering China’s provocations.

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has agreed to include provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24 NDAA) to assist in the training of Taiwan’s armed forces. The bill, with a budget of ＵＳUS＄876.8 billion, requires the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive training and advisory program for Taiwan’s military. The program will only proceed with the consent of the Secretary of State and after consultations with Taiwanese officials. The legislation aims to enhance Taiwan’s multilayered defense capabilities, including asymmetric defense strategies and interoperability with U.S. forces. It also promotes cybersecurity cooperation and the protection of military networks. The NDAA mandates biannual reporting on China’s military developments in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the South China Sea. Additionally, a classified report will evaluate the absorption of U.S.-provided military capabilities by Taiwan’s armed forces. After approval by Congress, President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, strengthening U.S.-Taiwan defense relations.

Hsiao Bi-khim, the Democratic Progressive Party’s vice-presidential candidate, expressed concern about the dark ＂vortex＂ of Taiwanese politics but remains focused on serving the nation without distraction. During a media session, Hsiao acknowledged her role in promoting the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and negotiations for the ＂Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement.＂ She highlighted bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress and efforts to propose legislative drafts. Hsiao also discussed tackling unanticipated issues such as supply chain resilience and securing vaccines during her time in the U.S. She emphasized the challenges stemming from Taiwan’s unique international status and the unfair treatment of Taiwanese in the global arena. Hsiao sees the resilience of the Taiwanese people as a strength, allowing them to pragmatically seek paths to their goals. She believes her life experiences have fortified her to face challenges with greater strength.

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