US delegation vows to Taiwan – the weapons are on their way

The territory is boosting its defence ability after China’s ‘war games’ sent a strong message

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te meets with Michael McCaul, the US Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Taiwan Presidential Office

Ben Blanchard

A senior US lawmaker visiting Taipei said yesterday that weapons Taiwan had ordered are finally on their way, and that China’s “intimidating” war games last week underscored the need to boost the island’s deterrence abilities.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.