New Defense Bill Seeks $7.5 Billion for Taiwan, US to ‘Push Back on China’

[BHarwana]

A bill recently reintroduced on Capitol Hill seeks to increase US defense spending by $1.5 billion per year over the next five years to support Taiwan’s defense posture toward China.

The bill "enshrines a generational policy framework to demonstrate US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region," according to US Senator Cory Gardner's (R-CO) press office. Dubbed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, the bill would increase funding for the US military's regional presence by funding freedom-of-navigation operations, which Beijing has condemned in the past.

Furthermore, the bill "expresses support for regular arms sales to Taiwan," the summary from Gardner's office says. About $150 million annually would be spent "for democracy, rule of law and civil society support, including $10 million annually for freedom of information efforts in North Korea."

The US State and Defense Departments would jointly spend the funds over five years, setting the total cost of the initiative at $7.5 billion.

"We're trying to build a force that's appropriate to the longer-term challenges with China's military modernization program," Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver said Tuesday.

"We are at a unique moment in history in which the United States needs to communicate to Asia — to allies and adversaries alike — that we are invested in the region," Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) told reporters on Tuesday, adding that Washington "has the opportunity to push back on China's efforts to undermine the international system."

The bill has been introduced before, but without success. "This is not a new concept and this is as close as we've come to an Asia-Pacific security initiative," Gardner said.



https://sputniknews.com/asia/201805161064526620-defense-bill-taiwan-us-push/

 

[terranMarine]

And who would honestly believe Yankees coming to the "rescue" should there be a unification operation from the PLA? USA isn't selling modern destroyers, subs, F-35 to Taiwan, it's a joke if America claims to do everything possible to make sure Taiwan stays separated. Everybody can tell how fast the PLA is building up its muscle in all domains.

 

[_Cobra]

The United States is under no obligation to come to the aid of Taiwan. The two countries have not had a defense treaty since Jan 1, 1980. The Taiwan Relations Act is actually vague on purpose regarding how the US would react to any Chinese attack. This ambiguity is purposeful to keep Taiwan from declaring independence and to keep China from any military adventure. Ultimately the TRA leaves the decision to Congress and the President.

At the end of the day China has done nothing for the last 38 years. I would expect the status quo to remain.

 

[Viva_Viet]

Strength
92,000
704 215,000
Casualties and losses
440 ROC troops killed[1] 460 PRC troops killed, 218 civilians killed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Taiwan_Strait_Crisis

Cant stop laughing every time I read 1958 TW-Sino conflict, no single US troop die . PLA is always too stupid to fight in real war . And current PLA is even worse wt corrupted general and coward soldiers bribe to join PLA just for good salary

 

[khansaheeb]

So many homeless and impoverished Yankees and all they want to do is spend more on offense. Roads are falling apart, housing crisis , pensions and medical crisis, huge crime and millions living below poverty line yet armed forces have enough money to shove up Israeli backsides and other poodles around the world.