US Lawmakers Call for Indo-Pacific Stability, Push Back Against China‘s Taiwan Strategy
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is urging Congress to bolster stability in the Indo-Pacific region and counter what they describe as China’s escalating “game plan” regarding Taiwan, according to statements made during a recent forum hosted by the American Enterprise Institute. The calls for action come amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea and increasing concerns over Beijing’s military posturing toward the self-governed island.
The urgency stems from a perceived vulnerability exploited by China, which lawmakers believe is testing the resolve of the US and its allies through sustained coercion short of outright conflict. This strategy, coupled with recent incidents like collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, has prompted a renewed focus on strengthening deterrence and reinforcing regional partnerships. The stakes are high, impacting not only the security of Taiwan but also the broader economic and geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific.
During the forum, speakers highlighted multiple avenues for pushing back against China’s influence.One key area identified was the need to expose China’s actions politically, diplomatically, and within the facts space, as well as through trade, finance, and economic policies. “There are very clear things we can do to push back,” one participant stated, while acknowledging the need to avoid actions that would directly undermine the livelihoods of the Chinese people.
Former US diplomat Singleton emphasized that Beijing views perceived vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s defenses, as well as in US and allied responses, as justification for its current approach. “Beijing interprets vulnerabilities…as validation of its approach to date – sustained coercion below the threshold of war,” he explained.
the discussion underscored the importance of a comprehensive strategy that addresses China’s multifaceted challenges to regional stability, signaling a growing consensus in Washington for a more assertive approach to countering Beijing’s ambitions in the indo-Pacific.
