The three joint statements laid the basis for the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the US and People’s Republic of China and included an acknowledgment of Beijing’s position that Taiwan is part of China.
“The United States used to sneak troops into Taiwan for training, but now it is boldly raised in the bill. It has stepped up the act of collusion. This is a dangerous trend that undermines the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. We must resolutely oppose it.” Fu said.
The Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act, which forms part of the annual defence bill, sets out plans for a “comprehensive training programme” with Taiwan,designed to enhance interoperability and capabilities for joint operations between the United States and the island.
The act says the programme should prioritise areas such as joint contingency tabletop exercises, war games and full-scale military exercises; train the “future leaders” of Taiwan’ and promote professional military education.
The programme should also include an enduring rotational US military presence that helps Taiwan maintain force readiness and use American defence articles and services transferred from to the island, the act says.
The vote in Congress follows months of tension in the Taiwan strait after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island in August triggered an unprecedented wave of PLA exercises, and comes amid growing speculation in Washington that Beijing will try to take the island by force in the next few years.
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Taiwan showcases fighter jets as mainland China’s war games continue following Pelosi visit
Last year, Taiwan confirmed that a small number of US forces had visited the island to train its soldiers.
The United States withdrew its permanent force in Taiwan when it severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979.
The Senate also approved the inclusion of a nonbinding “sense of Congress” provision, which stated that Taiwan’s naval forces should participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, as appropriate, in 2024.
Last year’s version of the annual bill had also said Taiwan should be invited to the multinational exercise, but the island’s forces did not ultimately take part.
The act also authorises appropriations for military grant assistance for Taiwan up to US$2 billion per year from 2023 through to 2027, if the US Secretary of State certifies that Taiwan increased its defence spending.
It also stated that the US should promote fast-track sales to Taiwan, which Fu said is designed to quickly arm the island in the event of military operations by the mainland.
The legislation said that Beijing has conducted a coordinated campaign to weaken Taiwan diplomatically, economically and militarily, particularly since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen – who has refused to accept the one-China principle as the basis for cross strait relations – in 2016.
It also says it is necessary to reinforce Taiwan’s diplomatic, economic and territorial space to secure US interests and preserve the ability of the people of Taiwan to determine their own future.
