Taipei, Taiwan – U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) joined Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) on a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to underscore and reaffirm our nation’s strong bipartisan support for the Taiwanese people just days after the peaceful transition of power and inauguration of President Lai Ching-te following Taiwan’s successful democratic elections in January. The delegation met with a number of officials while in Taiwan—including President Lai and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, whose Democratic Progressive Party favors strong ties with the United States—as it endures escalating and increased threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) before traveling to Singapore to participate in the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-la Dialogue, which is one of Asia’s premier global international security and defense summits.
“I am honored to arrive in Taiwan with this bipartisan delegation to congratulate the Taiwanese people on a successful democratic election,” said Senator Butler. “Now more than ever, it is essential that America supports democracies like Taiwan in the wake of increasing threats to freedom and democracy around the globe.”
“I’ve always believed that if America wants to remain a global leader, we have to show up and support our friends like Taiwan—a partner that our nation has strong economic and military ties with—who are facing escalating threats from the PRC as they work to strengthen their own democracy,” said Senator Duckworth. “In recent years, I’ve worked with colleagues across the aisle—including with Senators Sullivan, Coons & Butler—to help the people of Taiwan strengthen their civil defense, deliver desperately-needed COVID vaccines in the height of the pandemic and deepen our trade ties on everything from chip manufacturing to agricultural investments. To build on these efforts, I’m honored and proud to lead this bipartisan delegation—the first Senate delegation to Taiwan since the inauguration of their new President—with Senator Sullivan to do just that. We’re here to reaffirm and redouble our nation’s commitment to President Lai and the people of Taiwan, as well as send a strong message to the world that the United States stands with Taiwan and is here for the long haul.”
“We’re here in Taiwan to demonstrate to the world that the United States stands firm with the island democracy of Taiwan and to congratulate the Taiwanese people on another successful election and transfer of power,” said Senator Sullivan. “In these increasingly dangerous times, it is critical that America show steady, unwavering bipartisan commitment and resolve in support of Taiwan’s democracy and—critically—we must work with our allies to enhance cross-strait deterrence now. Today, Taiwan is considered one of the freest countries in the world. Every Taiwan election threatens the central premise of the Chinese Communist Party—that one person ruling in perpetuity knows what’s best for 1.4 billion people. This is a giant vulnerability for the Chinese Communist Party’s rule.”
“I am glad to join this important visit to Southeast Asia with a bipartisan group of colleagues,” said Senator Coons. “This trip is an opportunity to reiterate America’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability across the region, especially after Congress passed a bipartisan $8.1 billion Indo-Pacific security package last month. The United States has a strong network of allies and partner nations that share fundamental values that serve as a beacon for the region and beyond. I look forward to a productive trip that reinforces our shared focus on bolstering economic growth, democracy, and the rule of law.”
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