To strengthen Taiwan’s defense, more than 20 US House of Representatives requested that military aid and arms sales be in place – News – Rti China Central Radio

As China’s military actions around the Taiwan Strait become increasingly provocative, more than 20 members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested that the U.S. military’s F-16 fighter jet delivery plan for Taiwan be no longer delayed; the House of Representatives China Committee also sent a letter to congressional leaders, requesting Congress to pass a ban on Taiwan Military aid program.

Rob Wittman, Vice Chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, and 23 other members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on the 16th, urging the U.S. Department of Defense to resolve the delay in the delivery of F-16 fighter jets and ground support equipment to Taiwan. .

In the letter, the lawmakers said that as regional security concerns grow around the world, they urge the U.S. Department of Defense to focus on providing military assistance promised to Taiwan to cope with China’s escalating air power. The letter emphasizes the importance of resolving delays in the delivery of Taiwan’s upgraded F-16 multi-role fighter jets and ground support equipment.

The letter stated that Taiwan urgently needs these new upgraded fighter jets. “A stronger and more resilient Taiwan will promote stability across the Taiwan Strait. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that these two Foreign Military Sales (FMS) are not further delayed.” , “We cannot over-promise and under-deliver on our closest friends.”

Due to the lack of key parts, the F-16V fighter jet modification plan has been delayed for nearly three years. Delivery of the new F-16 Block 70/72 was also delayed by more than 15 months due to the complexity of software development that the OEM did not anticipate. The congressman mentioned that these are key plans to improve Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities in the short to medium term. Taiwan’s existing F-16 fighter jets urgently need to be modernized to play a role in the future.

In late October, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed to Congress nearly $106 billion in emergency funding for a large-scale security plan, including providing military aid to Taiwan to defend against China’s increasingly provocative military actions. However, this emergency funding may not be passed as scheduled due to differences among members of Congress on military aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, and six other committee members yesterday sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Majority Leader Schumer. Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The letter states that Congress’ funding priorities should be consistent with the nation’s most pressing national security priority: deterring the Chinese Communist Party.

The congressmen stated in the letter that the Indo-Pacific region, as the United States’ main war zone, must not become a region where it regrets afterwards. To ensure peace and contain conflict in Asia, action must be taken before it is too late. Because although deterrence is difficult, war is hell. The United States must strengthen its supply needs in the Indo-Pacific and treat the Chinese Communist Party threat with the seriousness it deserves.

Therefore, lawmakers pointed out that curbing the CCP threat must go further than the Biden administration’s requirements, including providing Taiwan with foreign military financing (Foreign Military Financing), funding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, investing in key military supplies production lines, and expanding “Presidential drawdown authority”, etc., to provide Taiwan with more resources.