Renewing Assurances

Taiwan's international outlook has become increasingly cloudy. Panama severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognized the People's Republic of China (PRC), a gut-wrenching loss for Taiwan's dwindling diplomatic recognition. The PRC blocked Taiwan's delegation from attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva, the annual gathering of the World Health Organization, despite the fact that Taiwan has regularly attended the summit and has been an international force for good in the health space. It is not only Taiwan's loss, but the world's as diseases know no borders. Since President Tsai's election, the PRC has escalated a global campaign to squeeze Taiwan's international recognition out of existence. Taiwan's security situation is being challenged alongside its diplomatic presence. The PRC has undertaken unprecedented military provocations around Taiwan in recent months. In November of 2016, China flew aircraft around the perimeter of Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone for the first time. In January, the PRC sailed the Liaoning, its first aircraft carrier, through the Taiwan Straits. These actions, the PRC's increasing global military ambition, and its belligerence in the East and South China Seas have contributed to an environment of instability. However, the United States has not completed an arms sale to Taiwan since 2015, though the Taiwan Relations Act requires the United States to offer the necessary equipment for Taiwan's self-defenses capabilities. Successive administrations have shown a lack of resolve in executing our defense commitments to Taiwan, emboldening the PRC which remains uncommitted to a peaceful resolution of Taiwan's status.