US Secretary of State John Kerry has reiterated Washington’s commitment to helping Taiwan defend itself under the Taiwan Relations Act. He also commended a peace initiative proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou to address territorial disputes in the region.
The Taiwan Relations Act was enacted in 1979 to maintain commercial, cultural, and other unofficial relations between the US and Taiwan after Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The act also requires the US to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons.
In a written statement responding to questions from the House Committee of Foreign Affairs, Kerry said the US will continue to “make available defense articles and services to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability”.
In response to questions on maritime disputes in Asia, Kerry said the historic fisheries agreement between Taiwan and Japan in 2013 can be a model for promoting regional stability despite conflicting maritime claims. Kerry also said the East China Sea Peace Initiative proposed by President Ma in 2013 “is relevant across maritime Asia”.