US Lawmakers Support Taiwan Budget     03/31 06:13

   

   TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- The United States supports efforts by Taiwan's 
government to pass a $40 billion special defense budget that is being stalled 
in the opposition-controlled parliament, a group of visiting U.S. lawmakers 
said Monday in Taipei.

   A bipartisan group of four senators arrived in Taiwan as part of an Asia 
trip meant to bolster U.S. alliances and counter China's influence in the 
region, ahead of a summit planned in May between U.S. President Donald Trump 
and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

   Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Jacky Rosen (Nevada) 
and Republican Senators John Curtis (Utah) and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) on 
Monday met with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the start of a two-day trip 
focused on bolstering the two sides' informal ties.

   China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own breakaway province, to be retaken 
by force if necessary and prohibits all its diplomatic partners, including the 
U.S., from maintaining formal ties with Taipei.

   The U.S., while not recognizing Taiwan as a country, is the island's 
strongest informal backer and arms provider.

   Massive U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are expected to be discussed at the 
Xi-Trump summit, with China pushing against the sales.

   A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday criticized the 
congressional visit, urging the U.S. to "handle the Taiwan question prudently 
and properly, stop all forms of official exchanges with Taiwan, and stop 
sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces."

   "China's position on the Taiwan-related issue is consistent and clear," 
spokesperson Mao Ning said. "China will take necessary measures to firmly 
safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

   Taiwan's $40 billion special defense budget is stalled in parliament

   During the meeting with Lai, Curtis praised Taiwan's progress "on 
strengthening its defense, whole society preparedness and energy security, 
especially over the last year."

   "The seriousness is noticed in Washington D.C., and your efforts on the 
special defense budget are also noticed and supported," he said.

   Taiwan's government is trying to push forward a $40 billion special defense 
budget that over eight years would see investments in building a sophisticated 
missile defense system dubbed the "T-dome," integrating artificial intelligence 
into national defense and developing Taiwan's indigenous defense industry, 
among others.

   The budget is currently being stalled in parliament, with opposition parties 
proposing smaller defense budgets.

   Lai renewed calls for the parliament to pass the special defense budget 
"without delay."

   "I want to reassure you and all of our friends in the United States that my 
government's resolve and commitment to enhancing our self-defense capabilities, 
strengthening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation and ensuring national security remain 
unwavering," he told the visiting lawmakers.

   The opposition leader, KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, said Monday she would be 
visiting China next month in an attempt to promote "peaceful" relations with 
Beijing. Cheng had previously expressed interest in meeting with Xi, though it 
wasn't clear if a meeting with the Chinese leader was on her trip's agenda.

   Beijing refuses to speak to Lai and has labeled him a separatist who wants 
to turn Taiwan into a "powder keg."