TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A $8 billion defense package approved by the U.S. House of Representatives over the weekend will “strengthen the deterrence against authoritarianism in the West Pacific ally chain,” Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te said Tuesday, in a reference to key rival China.
The funding will also “help ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and also boost confidence in the region” Lai, currently Taiwan’s vice president, told visiting Michigan Representatives Lisa McClain, a Republican, and Democrat Dan Kildee at a meeting at the Presidential Office Building in the capital Taipei.
In the face of “authoritarian expansionism,” Taiwan is “determined to safeguard democracy and also safeguard our homeland, Lai said.”
Also known as William Lai, U.S.-educated former medical researcher is despised by Beijing for his opposition to political unification with the mainland. In recent elections, the pro-unification Nationalists won a narrow majority in the legislature, but their influence on foreign policy and other national issues remains limited.
Moment Susanna Reid apologises as Labour MP Yvette Cooper swears on Good Morning Britain
Nature's the star at The Datai resort in Malaysia. But... beware the monkeys raiding the minibar!
Pictured: The railway in Britain that's Europe's shortest line
People from across the globe reveal the 'obvious signs that someone is an American'
A brush with Van Gogh in picture
Why Boeing's woes could push up airline prices for consumers
Global plastic treaty: Negotiations hit critical stage in Canada
Indonesia presidency: Prabowo Subianto on track to win