LOS ANGELES—House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called on Congress to hasten the supply and delivery of military weapons to Taiwan amid rising tensions between the self-governed democracy and China’s communist regime.
McCarthy (R-Calif.) urged the United States and its allies to take a stand against China’s aggression with a clear and consistent unified message that promotes peace and protects democracy after meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in California on Wednesday.
It’s important that congressional leaders speak with “one voice” so that China’s leaders know “where we stand,” he said.
“Don’t send a balloon over our air space. Don’t use authoritarian bully tactics,” he said. “It won’t go far.”
Instead, U.S.-China relations should be based on mutual respect to foster peace and prosperity through trade and commerce, McCarthy said following the meeting at a press conference at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, about 40 miles north of Los Angeles.
But, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders denounced the meeting, building up China’s military presence near Taiwan and threatening repercussions against the United States for allowing the meeting.
“My first message to China is there is no need for retaliation,” McCarthy said.
He dismissed CCP’s intimidation tactics, saying he’s not going to let China dictate where he can go or with whom he can speak.
“I’m the Speaker of the House. I’m not the general manager of the Houston Rockets,” he said.
The Six Assurances
McCarthy said the library was a fitting place for the discussion because of President Ronald Reagan’s “Six Assurances,” a framework developed in 1982 that forms the foundation of how relations between the United States and Taiwan are conducted.
“President Reagan’s Six Assurances serve as the backbone of our relationship with the people of Taiwan. The members here today make clear we take our support for the people of Taiwan seriously and are determined to speak with one voice,” he said.
One of the assurances allows the United States to supply Taiwan with military weapons that serve as a deterrent to war and allow the Taiwanese people to defend themselves against an invasion, McCarthy said.
Tsai and congressional delegates discussed how to speed up the process of delivering weapons Taiwan has purchased from the United States, McCarthy said.
CCP Threats
Since China’s communists took power in 1949, the CCP has claimed Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to eventually “reunify” the self-governed island with the mainland—using military force if necessary.
The official U.S. “One China” policy established in 1972 recognizes the People’s Republic of China “as the sole legal government of China,” but the United States has rejected the CCP’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. The United States has maintained strong diplomatic ties with the Taiwanese government, kept the Six Assurances Reagan promised, and has denounced any of Beijing’s attempts to subjugate the island.
Last August, the CCP staged a military show of force around Taiwan after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited Taipei, Taiwan’s capital city.
When asked whether a possible imminent Chinese attack on Taiwan is likely, McCarthy said he hoped that day never comes and called for more dialogue.
He also suggested the war between Russia and Ukraine could have been averted with more dialogue a few years before it started.
“Communication matters, and regardless of whether people have differences of opinion, I think today is going to foster greater peace long-term,” he said.
When asked whether he intends to visit Taiwan, McCarthy said he doesn’t have any current plans but hasn’t ruled out the possibility.
If he does go to Taiwan, McCarthy said it wouldn’t be to take an adversarial role but to be part of a bipartisan delegation to encourage peace and stability in the region.
McCarthy expressed concerns that some nations have backed away from their support for Taiwan’s democracy in exchange for promises of economic support from China.
“I wish all nations would make a decision based upon democracy,” he said.
When asked if the United States should commit to the defense of Taiwan if China attacks, McCarthy replied that the goal is to prevent conflict.
Sanctions alone won’t stop a potential conflict, he said.
“What we know through history, the best way to do that is supply the weapons to allow people to deter war … [so] that people could defend themselves,” McCarthy said. “It’s a critical lesson every American learns.”
Freedom and Democracy
McCarthy pointed out that China lost respect when it reneged on its promise to allow Hong Kong to keep its version of democracy for 50 years after the United Kingdom handed it to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 after 156 years of British rule.
“I think that harmed them around the world. We watched them shut down newspapers and freedom of press that had been there for decades, and I think when the world stays silent on these issues, that’s what fosters the problem that gets you to that point,” he said.
Against the backdrop of a piece of the Berlin Wall displayed outside the library, McCarthy said Reagan’s patriotic spirit, belief in democracy, and commitment to the ideas of peace and freedom have always served “as the bedrock of our friendship with the people of Taiwan.”
McCarthy said America’s bond with Taiwan is stronger now than at any point in his lifetime and “more important now than ever before.”
“And, of course, President Tsai is a great champion of that bond,” he said. “The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the Free World, and it is critical to maintain economic freedom, peace and regional stability. We will honor our obligations and reiterate our commitment to our shared values.”
McCarthy listed several “crucial ways” to strengthen bonds between the United States and Taiwan, including continued arms sales and expedited delivery of weapons to Taiwan, increased economic co-operation, especially trade and technology, and promoting shared values on the world stage.
“We live in a decisive moment in history and must act with urgency,” McCarthy said. “Tensions in the world are their highest point since the end of the Cold War “as authoritarian leaders seek to use violence and fear to promote needless conflict.”
America “must stay true to its values” and remain consistent in its “resolute, unwavering, and bipartisan” support for the people of Taiwan and their “desire to live in peace, freedom, and democracy.”
Tsai’s Remarks
In her remarks following the meeting, Tsai thanked McCarthy and the congressional delegates for their efforts to reassure Taiwan’s people that “we are not isolated, and we are not alone.”
Quoting Reagan, who said freedom “is never more than one generation away from extinction” and that each generation must fight to defend it, Tsai said she shares his belief in peace through strength.
“However, it is no secret that today that peace that we have maintained and the democracy we have worked hard to build are facing unprecedented challenges. We once again find ourselves in a world where democracy is under threat. And the urgency of keeping the beacon of freedom shining cannot be understated,” she said.
Reagan played a crucial role in partnership with the U.S. Congress to protect and fortify U.S.-Taiwan relations with the “Six Assurances” he gave Taiwan in 1982, she said.
With the help of the United States, to “enhance” Taiwan’s “self-defense capabilities,” Taiwan is committed to defending “a peaceful status quo where the people of Taiwan can continue to strive in a free and open society,” she said.
“We are stronger when we are together,” she said.
Taiwan strives to be “a cornerstone for stability” in the Indo-Pacific region, “a force for good” in the world, she said.
“In our efforts to protect our way of life, Taiwan is grateful to have the United States of America by our side as we confront the unique challenges of our time. Let us be mindful of the principles that have forged great partnerships and bear in mind the lessons of President Reagan’s enduring legacy,” she said.
Dueling Protests
Meanwhile, pro-CCP demonstrators waving large People’s Republic of China flags blasted anti-Taiwan sentiments via a loudspeaker as Tsai arrived, calling her a traitor.
“One China! Taiwan is part of China,” they chanted as pro-Taiwan supporters gathered to support Tsai.
Police officers clad in riot gear stood between the opposing sides, keeping them about 25 feet apart as they brandished signs and chanted at each other.
