Some US lawmakers are pushing the government to cut its military aid for Ukraine to focus on more “at risk” ally Taiwan.
Republican Mike Collins, who voted against further aid to Kyiv, claimed that China is a bigger threat to US national security than Russia.
Beijing views Taipei as part of its territory that should be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary.
Collins and other Republicans in the US Congress believe China is closely monitoring if Washington has the “political stamina” to continue supporting an ally in a prolonged, costly war.
The US has so far sent approximately $113 billion in military, humanitarian, and economic assistance to the war-ravaged nation since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Bipartisan Support
The Taiwanese government has been careful not to meddle in the debate about whether the US should continue providing its European ally with weapons and equipment.
However, the island nation said it was grateful to have strong bipartisan support from the US as it continues to face increasing pressure from China.
It also promised to continue working with its most powerful ally in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait regardless of the US decision on Ukraine aid.
Increasing Tensions
Last month, Taiwan’s defense ministry said it had detected more than 100 Chinese military aircraft and nine navy ships around the self-governed nation.
Forty of the warplanes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a term given to the unofficial barrier between the two sides.
The ministry called on Beijing to stop destructive unilateral actions, including its continuous military harassment of the island nation.
“The continuous military harassment by the Communist military can easily lead to a sharp increase in tensions and worsen regional security,” it stated.
