US promises to continue reinforcing Taiwan's self-defense capabilities
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Vowing to resist an authoritarian takeover, President Lai Ching-te on Thursday said Taiwan is banking on its “solid-rock partnership” with the United States to defend the democratically ruled island.
“Taiwan will overcome all difficulties and stand together with the U.S. and the democratic camp to defend Taiwan's security, maintain regional peace and take care of the world,” Lai said, speaking at a jampacked ballroom during a luncheon hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office at the Hyatt Regency Guam.
Lai, who arrived on Guam Wednesday night for a brief visit as part of his weeklong Pacific tour, called on all democratic nations to “deepen and protect democracy.”
"Let us not bow down to authoritarian regimes," he said, adding that Taiwan "has been through a lot," but it has emerged from "the dark age of authoritarianism" to become "the beacon of Asian democracy."
Still, Taiwan faces persistent threats from China, which views the island as a renegade territory.
Acknowledging the security threats facing Taiwan and the entire Indo-Pacific region, a U.S. government representative said Washington “will continue to help Taiwan bolster its self-defense capabilities, as well as Taiwan's ability to protect itself against coercion as framed by the Taiwan Relations Act.”
“The United States applauds the line administration's efforts to continue reinforcing Taiwan's self-defense capability through reform and resource investment,” Ingrid Larson, managing director of the American Institute in Taiwan/Washington Office, said at the luncheon.
The institute serves as the United States’ de facto embassy in Taiwan.
“Thank you for your strong support for Taiwan and your longstanding friendship,” Lai told the crowd. “I hope all of our friends in the North China Sea, wherever you are, will continue to care for Taiwan, support Taiwan and have faith in Taiwan.”
Lai’s Pacific tour coincided with Washington’s recent announcement of two military packages for Taiwan, which consisted of a $320 million sale of spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft; and a $65 million sale of tactical communications system. This was the 18th package since 2021, Karen Kuo, spokesperson for the Taiwan presidential office, said last week.
China slammed the United States’ military transaction with Taiwan, claiming it breached “the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués.”
The U.S. maintains a one-China policy, while the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances guide its ties with Taiwan.
The State Department described Lai’s brief visits to Guam and Hawaii as “unofficial transits.”
“I want to thank the United States government for arranging my trip based on the principles of safety, dignity, convenience and comfort, and I thank the U.S. government for making this trip possible and successful,” Lai said.
Lai came to Guam after concluding his official visit to the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. His first stop was Hawaii, where he met with Gov. Josh Green. From Guam, he is headed for Palau.
“We have the precious freedom and creativity that allows Taiwan to develop its economy and also our shared values including democracy that have allowed Taiwan to make friends with Guam, Hawaii, the United States, and the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu and any other democratic country in the world,” Lai said.
Lai has embarked on the Pacific tour to stabilize Taiwan's fragile diplomatic framework. Nauru's switch to Beijing this year has left Taiwan with 12 remaining diplomatic allies, including the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau.
Before attending the TECO-hosted luncheon, Lai had a breakfast meeting with Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero at the Governor’s House in Agana Heights. The breakfast meeting was followed by the Guam legislature’s presentation of the Taiwan Friendly Resolution.
“Do you remember what it was like singing our national anthems this morning at the Governor's House, or receiving the Taiwan Friendly Resolution at the Guam legislature, or receiving the flags given to me by the state of Hawaii?” Lai said.
“These are all demonstrations of the deep connections between Taiwan and the United States and a demonstration of a rock-solid partnership,” he added.
Lai said the democratic system has spawned “a good way of life” for Taiwan, whose economy has transitioned from agrarian, to industrial and commercial and then into the technology era.
Taiwan, the world's 21st largest economy, produces 90 percent of the global semiconductor supply.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition
Comentarios