US lawmakers say the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is waging a different kind of warfare against Taiwan during a hearing on the heels of a major U.S. arms deal.
“China has the capability right now to take Taiwan without even a shot being fired,” said US lawmaker Zach Nunn.
Chairman of U.S. Select Committee on the CCP John Moolenaar told the penal the warfare from the CCP comes not just in the form of military threats.
“Through economic coercion, legal manipulation, the exploitation of international organisations,” he said.
Beijing has worked to influence Taiwan through export controls and election interference.
“The Chinese specifically targeted Taiwanese pineapple growers. They did it on the verge of an election. Local elected leaders found themselves only winning if they were in support of mainland China,” Nunn said.
China has also restricted tourism and trade with countries that strengthen ties with Taiwan.
U.S. lawmaker Greg Stanton said, “Guatemala has faced significant CCP economic coercion, including a ban on agricultural imports, following a call between the Guatemalan and Taiwanese presidents.”
In December, the Trump administration approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, its largest ever, including advanced missiles and drones.
However, U.S. lawmaker Jill Tokuda said the Trump administration’s defence strategy will further isolate Taiwan.
“It’s going to literally manipulate international law and international institutions to further isolate Taiwan,” she said.
Despite some expressing reservations, there was bipartisan agreement in the U.S. strengthening Taiwan’s defences.
Moolenaar said, “You look at the president’s commitment in terms of arms sales, it’s about three times what any other previous president has done with respect to Taiwan.”
“I always say that it’s more important what you do than what you say. And so we’re now close to a $1 trillion in defence spending,” said Carlos Gimenez, U.S. lawmaker.
“And it’s not because we’re afraid of Russia or anything. The only thing that we’re spending that much money for is to deter China,” he added.
