US Report Identifies Urgent Actions to Deter Chinese Aggression

The US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has released a bipartisan report titled Ten More for Taiwan, outlining immediate strategies to counter Chinese aggression towards Taiwan. The report, unveiled on October 17, 2023, builds upon the previous Ten for Taiwan report from May 2023, emphasizing the necessity of robust US-Taiwan relations to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Committee Chair John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted that Taiwan is not a bargaining chip for the CCP. Krishnamoorthi stated, “Since the previous report, the CCP has increased the risk of conflict over Taiwan, underscoring the need to deepen US-Taiwan economic, defense, and political cooperation.” The report underscores Taiwan’s significance as the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States in 2022, pivotal for global supply chains and an important investor in the US economy.

The report draws attention to the heightened urgency of the situation, particularly given Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s directive for military readiness to potentially take Taiwan by 2027. Moolenaar emphasized that 2026 is a critical year for building deterrence, which includes increasing weapons stockpiles and enhancing logistical capabilities to create challenges for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Strategic Recommendations for US-Taiwan Relations

Among the ten key actions recommended in the report, the US is urged to reaffirm its commitment to Taiwanese security and to strengthen economic partnerships. This includes advancing trade, tax, travel, and technology agreements, as well as encouraging investment flows into Taiwan. The report advocates for US Congress to pass legislation aimed at deterring Chinese economic coercion and protecting vital supply chains.

Moreover, the report calls for expanding and streamlining security assistance to Taiwan through mutual defense industrial cooperation programs. It emphasizes the need to mitigate supply chain dependencies on China and enhance Taiwan’s air and missile defense capabilities. Additionally, it highlights the importance of improving regional infrastructure and fostering intelligence-sharing initiatives with allies, particularly Japan and the Philippines.

The report also addresses Taiwan’s energy security, advocating for diversification of its energy supply through increased imports of liquid natural gas. It recommends enhancing civil defense and military training cooperation with the US to better prepare Taiwan for potential threats.

Broader Implications and Global Security

The report underscores the necessity for the US to impose consequences on China regarding its ties with Russia, framing Beijing as a key enabler of the Kremlin’s military actions. It highlights the lessons that the US should draw from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting that China is closely observing the conflict’s outcomes.

In its conclusion, the report stresses the need for the US to bolster its readiness against authoritarian threats while ensuring that Taiwan’s strategic importance is recognized and supported. The committee’s findings reflect a broader commitment to maintaining stability in the region and countering the influence of the CCP in international affairs.