Taiwan facing 'authoritarian expansionism' from China: President Tsai

Gulf Today Report

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said Saturday the self-ruled island faced "continued authoritarian expansionism", after China announced three days of military drills.

"In recent years we have faced continued authoritarian expansionism," Tsai said, adding Taiwan would "continue to work with the US and other like-minded countries to jointly defend the values of freedom and democracy."

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 Speaking at a lunch in Taipei hosted by Tsai for his bipartisan delegation, Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they were there in strong support of Taiwan and that it was important democracies stood together.

Taiwan would "continue to work with the US and other like-minded countries, says Taiwan's President Tsai.

"As the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, I sign off on all foreign military sales, including weapons to Taiwan, and I promise you, Madam President, we will deliver those weapons," he said.

Taiwan has since last year complained of delays to deliveries of US weapons, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers turn supplies to Ukraine to support its defence against Russia.

"We are doing everything we can in Congress to speed up these sales and get the weapons that you need to defend yourselves," McCaul, a Republican, said.

"And we will provide training to your military — not for war, but for peace," he added, without giving details. "Projecting weakness only invites aggression and conflict. Projecting strength provides deterrence and promotes peace."