Taiwan has the right to be free and “preserve self-determination”, United States Senator Roger Wicker has told the island’s president during a visit to the capital, Taipei.
Two senior Republican senators known for their strong advocacy on Taiwan arrived in the city on Friday to discuss security amid a rising military threat from China.
Wicker, chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Deb Fischer said their visit was to reinforce and emphasise the “great partnership” between the US and Taiwan.
Wicker, a Republican, told Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te during a meeting at the presidential office in Taipei that understanding Taiwan’s needs and concerns was their priority.
“We come here from the United States bringing a message from the Congress of commitment, of long-term friendship and a determination that a free country like Taiwan absolutely has the right to remain free and preserve self-determination,” Wicker said.
The visit comes as the US Senate is due to consider next week the National Defense Authorisation Act, or NDAA, a nearly $1 trillion bill that sets policy for US national defence.
Wicker said this year’s NDAA would “add to the provisions again” when it came to Taiwan, though he gave no details.
Before the trip, Senator Fischer issued a statement saying she looked forward to the visit “to see firsthand how we can strengthen our posture in the region in order to safeguard American interests and our allies”.
Fischer is also a member of the powerful Armed Services Committee, which is responsible for legislative oversight of the US military. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun protested the visit, saying it “undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sends a gravely wrong signal to the separatist Taiwan independence forces”.
China has increased its military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including staging war games, and Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
The senators’ trip also takes place as some members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – have expressed concern that US President Donald Trump is de-emphasising security issues as he works on negotiating a trade deal with China.
The Trump administration reportedly denied permission for Taiwan’s Lai to transit in New York as part of a planned official trip to Latin America after Beijing objected. Lai reportedly then cancelled the trip.
Administration officials, however, said Trump remains fully committed to Asia Pacific security matters as he pursues his trade agenda as well as a good personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer and supplier of arms despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
On Saturday, the US-based Naval News reported that the US is considering new sites in Palau and Australia for stockpiling equipment in the West Pacific, to boost its military supply chains and enhance mobility across the Asia Pacific.
The US also announced it is rebuilding a dock in Palau, which is one of Taiwan’s closest diplomatic allies.
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