The Legislative Yuan

Press Release

April 7, 2023

President You meets eight-member delegation led by US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul

You Si-kun: Appreciation to Chairman McCaul for his longstanding support to Taiwan. Democratic countries should cooperate to defend global peace.

Accompanied by Legislators Tsai Shih-ying, Chiang Chi-chen, Lo Chih-cheng, Chao Tein-lin, Liu Shyh-fang, Liao Wan-ju, Chen I-hsin, Chiu Hsien-chih, Chiu Tai-yuan, Wu Hsin-ying, and Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, President You welcomed by hosting a luncheon in honor of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Chair Young Kim, Representative Ami Bera, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, Representative French Hill, Representative Guy Reschenthaler, Representative Madeleine Dean, Representative Michael Lawler, Representative Nathaniel Moran at 11a.m. today (7th). American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Sandra Oudkirk was also present.

After the delegation toured the chamber and met the press, President You started his remarks by stating it was his honor to welcome the visiting delegation on behalf of Taiwan’s congress. He stated that he exchanged views with Chairman MacCaul online before. In addition, he echoed Chairman McCaul on the PRC persecution of Mayflower religious refugees recently. Therefore, although this was their first encounter, but felt like old friends. 

President You stressed that today marked the first time for US House Foreign Affairs Committee delegation to enter the chamber of Taiwan’s congress after Taiwan Relations Affairs entered into force for 44 years. Therefore, their visit was a strong testament to Taiwan-US relations and had profound significance. In addition, Chairman McCaul often took lead in introducing relations related with Taiwan. He also introduced Taiwan Policy Act in the House of Representatives in September last year. He stood up to fight against CCP wolf warrior for disrupting global peace. His spirit was admirable.

President You further pointed out that over the past decade, the global democratic landscape has shrunk. After Russia invaded Ukraine, China cooperated with Russia. In particular in the Putin-Xi meeting on March 23, a consensus of promoting a change have has never seen for a century. Their attempt to change the existing international order has imposed a threat to global democratic countries. Democratic countries should cooperate to fight against the expansion of authoritarianism. President You also underscored that he criticized Hu Jintao’s peaceful rise in his keynote speech at US Heritage Foundation back in 2006. He reminded the audience that “peaceful rise does not necessarily guarantee peace. Only democratic rise can guarantee peace.” Over the past 16 years, CCP employed internal repression including violating Hong Kong’s one county and two systems and implementing genocide policy in Xinjiang. CCP initiated wolf warrior diplomacy by setting up Confucius Institutes, promoting Belt and Road Initiative, breaking its promise to the US that“China does not intend to pursue militarization” of the Spratly Islands. These instances prove that they are all lies without the contents of democracy. 

President You once again urged those who love democracy and freedom around the world to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to deter the assertiveness of the authoritarian dictator ship and defend global peace and stability. In closing, President You thanked Chairman McCaul and esteemed guests once again for their staunch support to Taiwan. He hoped that based on the framework of five acts and six assurances, Taiwan and the US will have more cooperation.

In his remarks, Chairman McCaul first of al on behalf of the entire delegation expressed his gratitude to President You. He stated that the delegation is bipartisan. Each member does not visit Taiwan in the capacity of their respective party member, but of a strong American supporter of Taiwan. Chairman McCaul congratulates President Tsai Ing-wen’s successful visit to the US. He looked forward to meeting with President Tsai. He stated that he had a breakfast with leaders from semiconductor and aviation industries. Taiwan’s industries have set up plants in the US, which is very important to Taiwan-US relations. They hoped that Taiwan and the US could sign free trade agreement as soon as possible. They would also pay especial attention on the issues of double taxation of Taiwan’s companies investing in the US.  

Chairman McCaul continued to state that President mentioned about Taiwan Relations Act that was introduced by the US Congress. This is very important, because it is the congress instead of the administration to introduce bills related with Taiwan-US relations. In addition, Taiwan and the US share the values of freedom and democracy and respect for human rights. That is why CCP is fearful of Taiwan. He believed that we are in an unprecedented situation that has never seen since WWII. For example, Russian aggression against Ukraine was the largest war in Europe since WWII. In Asia, China intends to invade Taiwan and wants to control the entire Pacific region. Therefore, deterrence is critical. Chairman McCaul stressed that strength can maintain peace. Fragility causes war. US will does everything it can to stand with Taiwan to show power to let Cina know that Taiwan and US do not accept any form of aggression and will do their best to safeguard peace. That is why the US will assist strengthen Taiwan though joint military trainings and arms sales bills that he signed to let CCP know that either invasion or containment of Taiwan will pay heavy military and economic prices.

Before he concluded his remarks, Chairman McCaul stated that this visit was to let President You know that they are the friends of Taiwan and will be united to defend this free and democratic land of Taiwan.

During the press conference, the media asked Chairman McCaul his visit coincided with the timing of the meeting between President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker McCarthy and caused China’s strong protest. Did the delegation feel any pressure? Chairman McCaul responded that they have the rights to meet President Tsai to show their support. China’s intimidation is nothing new. This time it is obvious that China took the wrong move. These drastic measures would push them to stand firm with Taiwan. Chair Young added that the US Congress took many actions to express their concrete support to Taiwan, including adopting Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act in the hope to address the issue of delayed delivery of weapons. In addition, Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act adopted recently supports Taiwan’s participation in International Monetary Fund and other international organizations. In the meantime, the US Congress recently adopted a decision that China is no longer a developing country. China can no longer use tis special status to seek preferential treatment, such as low interest rate and use them to expand its sphere of influence in the Asia-Pacific region to intimidate other countries.

The press asked the delegation members that whether or not the democratic alliance deterrence is not enough. Whether or not the theory of China’s threats has been overstated or underestimated. Chairman McCaul stated they would visit Japan and ROK during this trip. He stressed that having dialogue with allies is very important. Representative Bera stated that they visited Japan, ROK and Taiwan was because all these countries are democratic countries with rule of law and economic prosperity. They hoped that we could maintain the peace over the past 50 years. No party wanted to have a conflict and even China is the beneficiary of peace over the past 50 years. Based on this principle, we should be united to face challenges. They also expressed their willingness not to have a war. At that same time to let the outside world know how Taiwan defend itself.

Taiwan’s media asked about whether or not the US would increase its arms sales to Taiwan or military cooperation and the issue about Taiwan is not included in the offshoring supply chain. Chairman McCaul stated that they have signed relevant bills in the hope that the speedy delivery of weapons to strengthen Taiwan’s military intimidation capability. Secondly, they also seek the third-party arms sale, which needs the cooperation of the administration. As for Taiwan’s businesses concern about double taxation, they will speed up the process of this issue after return to the US.

Representative Hill that economic intimidation is as important as military intimidation. Taiwan, Japan and EU enjoy 50% of two-way trade with China. In addition, considering the issues of pandemic, Hong Kong’s protest against anti-extradition bill and Russia-Ukraine war, countries that love democratic and freedom start to cautiously assess their engagement with authoritarian countries. Many countries reevaluate China’s supply chain and consider to adopt economic intimidation.

When asked by foreign press about any concern about China’s interference in Taiwan’s election next year through misinformation or cyberattack, President You stated that Taiwan is very concerned. China has done everything to do that. He believed it would be worse during the election season. Taiwan adopted Anti-infiltration Act. Related government agencies, such as Ministry of Digital Affairs adopted many measures to cooperate with friendly allies to attack misinformation.   

When asked by foreign press once China invaded Taiwan, will President You welcome US military forces to provide assistance? President You responded by saying that any peace-loving allies are welcome to assist Taiwan to fight against authoritarian invasion to ensure the universal values of human rights. He continued to add that global democratic countries need to understand the nature of CCP. In addition to an authoritarian government, CCP also upholds Chinese political thinking of “Just as there are not two suns in the sky, so there cannot be two emperors on earth. All land under heaven belongs to the King, and all people on the shores are subjects of the King”, which is full of the nature of aggression. Therefore, in order to maintain peace, we cannot wish the benevolence of the adversary but to be prepared for a war so that we cannot avoid a war.

President You further stated that CCP strongly obstructed Chairman McCaul for leading a delegation to Taiwan and led to a reversal effect that President Tsai met House Speaker McCarthy at the Reagan Library. Taiwan’s international visibility is greatly enhanced. Now, the entire world call President Tsai as the president of Taiwan. President You also believed that the various actions taken by the US actually reflect its strategic clarity. 

Lastly, when asked by foreign press about Russia-Ukraine war is a toll for Taiwan, President You responded by stating that Russia-Ukraine war remind the world two things. First, we found that peace is very fragile. We need to enhance our unity and be alert all the time. Second, Russia did not take Ukraine as soon as it wished. This is a warning for China. It is not so easy to swallow Taiwan. Taiwan strait is a natural barrier to protect Taiwan. In addition, Taiwan is equipped with sophisticated weapons and strong will of defense. Taiwan for sure will defend itself.

After the press conference, both sides proceeded to the Chung Hsing Building for luncheon. President You expressed his thanks to the US for two things. First, the US provided more than four million vaccine doses to Taiwan when the pandemic was tense. Second, Democratic Progressive Party was established in 1986 to break the ban on political parties thanks to the US request to Chiang Ching-kuo to abolish the Marshall Law to lead to Taiwan’s democratization to have the full-fledged partisan politics today.

Chairman McCaul once again thanked President You for his warm hospitality. He believed that Taiwan and the US shared democratic values and face a historical moment. If peace wanted to be safeguarded, there should be a strong self-defense capability. Therefore, the US will assist Taiwan to strengthen itself. At the same time, intimidation is equally important. That is why they visited different countries to have dialogues with allies in the hope to support Taiwan in unity. As the endorser for arms sales, he would discuss this issue with President Tsai on this issue once again. He would do his best to speed up the delivery of weapons on time. He also hoped that through economic connection, US-Taiwan relations would be further flourishing to enjoy prosperity.