OPINION:
Kudos to the Trump administration for helping Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense capability commensurate with the threat it faces, in line with the Taiwan Relations Act (“Taiwan confirms $11 billion U.S. weapons sale; China condemns arms deal as ‘dangerous,’” Web, Dec. 18).
This announcement matters because it is both simple and overdue. Taiwan’s democracy is not negotiable, and its security is not optional.
Washington has robust reasons to stand firm on its commitments to Taiwan. Give Taiwan all the weapons it needs. China must not underestimate America’s intolerance of Beijing’s belligerence to a democratic Taiwan through increasingly frequent incursions. Washington makes clear that the U.S. will come to the defense of Taiwan should China invade.
For U.S.-China relations to truly mature, they must grow beyond issues such as Taiwan and address challenges that deserve the focus of two great powers. The answer to the challenge of maintaining a positive relationship with Beijing is not to sacrifice a stalwart friend. The United States has robust reasons to take necessary, long-overdue steps to offer Taiwan as a free and sovereign country.
KENT WANG
Advisory commissioner for the Overseas Community Affairs Council, Republic of China (Taiwan) in the United States
Potomac Falls, Virginia
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