On July 20, representatives of the Senate China Task Force met with Taiwan’s envoy to talk about the best ways to stop a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) assault on the country.
New War Imminent
The Republican leadership used the occasion to emphasize the danger that the CCP’s authoritarianism poses to the United States.
GOP leadership then moved to explain why and how the country should provide Taiwan with the capabilities to protect itself against assault.
According to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, “Since 2020, our task group has worked relentlessly to increase awareness of the threat presented by the Chinese Communist Party.”
“This is the biggest geopolitical concern confronting America and our partners in the Indo-Pacific.”
“The CCP has demonstrated it is a brutal, hostile, and wicked government. We cannot undervalue its intent to impose cruelty and forceful control.
China 'trying to study' Russia's failures; CIA director 'wouldn't rule out' near-term Taiwan invasion https://t.co/Icv5CSrtco
— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 21, 2022
McCarthy highlighted that Taiwan’s true democracy and manner of life were worth maintaining for their own sake, as well as for the United States’ enormous strategic benefit.
Upwards of 60% of the transistors used with everything from desktop computers to missile systems are produced in Taiwan. Additionally, it is located in the first island chain, to the east of Asia, where access is essential for global supply chains.
Taiwan deserves our assistance since it is a successful democracy, according to McCarthy. “People desire peace, independence, and the ability to choose their own path in life.”
“It is appropriate and in America’s best interest to maintain Taiwan.”
An issue of survival
Although Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949 and has never been under CCP authority, the CCP insists it is a renegade province.
Since the United States is required by the 1979 Taiwan Ties Act to give the island administration adequate weapons to sustain its self-defense, it is de facto independent.
This frequently causes friction in Sino-American affairs. The task force’s actions to guarantee that it obtained such weapons were applauded by Taiwan’s visit to the United States, Bi-khim Hsiao.
China says U.S. is 'maker of security risks' after Taiwan Strait sailing https://t.co/aJO9D818xe pic.twitter.com/1LRaR93gDm
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 20, 2022
Furthermore, Hsiao cautioned that the CCP’s “malign actions” posed an existential threat to Taiwan, as well as an ideological one.
A critique of dictatorship “could be seen by some as a contest between political systems,” Hsiao remarked. “However, survival is at stake for Taiwan. This is the preservation of our liberties and our way of life.”
The remarks expressed by Hsiao echoed those made only last week by Mark Esper, former secretary of defense of the United States.
He cautioned the existence of the Taiwanese people is at risk in a larger fight of “communism versus freedom.”
According to Hsiao, the CCP’s “dual toolset of political and economic power,” which the government has used to try to separate Taiwan from the rest of the world, must be restrained in order to maintain stability all across Taiwan Strait.
