US lawmakers in Taiwan for security talks
美國國會議員在台灣進行安全會談
| Representative Debbie Lesko leading delegation to meet with top government officials
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Representative Debbie Lesko arrived in Taiwan on Sunday (Oct. 6) for bilateral talks with government officials. Lesko is leading a delegation including fellow representatives Andy Biggs and Carol Miller, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Aside from attending the National Day celebration, the group will also meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to discuss US-Taiwan relations, the security situation in the Taiwan Strait, and economic and energy policies. MOFA welcomed the delegation’s arrival, demonstrating the steadfast support of the US Congress for Taiwan and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Lesko previously visited Taiwan in 2016 as part of a US Southwest state legislative delegation, while the other members are visiting for the first time, MOFA said. All three lawmakers have been long-time advocates of Indo-Pacific stability and Taiwan Strait security. Taiwan will continue to work closely with its friends in the US to deepen the bilateral partnership based on shared values and promote regional peace and prosperity, the foreign ministry said. The delegation’s visit comes as Taiwan and the US seek to deepen defense cooperation to counter the Chinese threat. The US plans to send a team to Taiwan next year to evaluate the feasibility of allowing Taiwan’s National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) to assemble and produce 1,985 Stinger missiles it previously ordered. The team will assess NCSIST’s technical capacity, production capabilities, and cybersecurity measures. During the Taiwan-US Defense Industry Conference last month, both sides agreed that Taiwan could become a valuable partner for the US defense industry, leading to mutually beneficial development. The conference allowed Taiwanese officials to discuss issues with US defense contractors, solidifying bilateral cooperation mechanisms and communication platforms. |
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| Kelvin Chen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2024-10-06 |
