(Observer.com ) According to Reuters local time on November 4, local time, the so-called "Taiwan Deterrence Act" was proposed on the same day, seeking to provide US$2 billion and other assistance to Taiwan, China every year to strengthen the defense of Taiwan.
Reuters screenshot
According to Reuters, this "bill" will authorize the United States to use $2 billion in foreign military aid (US grants and loans, allowing countries to purchase weapons and defense equipment produced by the United States) for use in Taiwan until 2032.
Reuters said that although the proposal was supported only by the U.S. Senate minority party, Republican , it increased the pressure on the U.S. Congress on Democratic President Biden , asking him to "take bolder actions to strengthen relations with the Taiwan region."
It is reported that the main sponsors of the proposal are Jim Risch, the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and co-sponsors include U.S. Republican Senators Mike Crapo, John Cornyn, Bill Hagerty, Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio. According to reports, it is not clear how American Democrats view the bill.
Jim Risch, pictured from the politico website
Reuters revealed that the funding will be accompanied by conditions, including the commitment by the Taiwan authorities (its expenditure) to match U.S. spending, and whether the Taiwan authorities and Washington agree to a long-term joint planning for capacity development. The U.S. government reportedly urged Taiwan to carry out defense reforms, focusing on strengthening the mobility and defensiveness of its military forces and ensuring that it has strong reserve forces.
It is reported that the proposal will also modify the current " arms export control law " (Arms Export Control Act), with the goal of "it is easier for American companies to sell weapons to Taiwan."
In addition, it calls for an annual assessment of Taiwan's efforts to advance its defense strategy.
The bill claims to improve so-called "military exchanges" with Taiwan and expand the opportunities for "Taiwanese military personnel" to conduct professional military education and technical training in the United States.
Bill text has been recklessly claimed that "as a defender of democratic values and free market principles, defending Taiwan is crucial to maintaining the credibility of the United States."
In recent years, due to the US's wrong policy toward China, China-US relations have suffered a comprehensive impact. On October 31, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out when meeting with US Secretary of State in Rome that the Taiwan issue is the most sensitive issue between China and the United States. Once a mistake is made in handling, it will cause subversive and global damage to Sino-US relations.
Wang Yi stressed that the crux of the current situation in the Taiwan Strait is that the Taiwan authorities have repeatedly tried to break through the one-China framework, and the US's condonement and support for the "Taiwan independence" forces is also to blame.