WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – To combat China’s growing influence in the Pacific, and a possible invasion of Taiwan, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas.) led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan in May.
“China’s getting very aggressive. Very hostile,” McCaul said.
McCaul said Taiwan is vital to the world economy. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, more than 90% of the world’s most advanced microchip manufacturing was located in Taiwan as of 2021.
“If China was to invade, that would shut down and create an economic crisis,” McCaul said.
Many lawmakers believe China is gearing up to be ready to invade Taiwan by the end of this decade, as early as 2027. They believe Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to create an “imperial China.”
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) was part of the bipartisan delegation to Taiwan. Houlahan said, while members of Congress were in Taiwan, the Chinese military encircled the island.
“That encircling can be interpreted as nothing other than provocation coming from PRC, because it looked every bit like a blockade,” Houlahan said.
McCaul said the U.S. military is watching China’s aggressive military actions toward Taiwan.
“They studied this very closely, in terms of what they would be doing in the event of an invasion of the island,” McCaul said.
The Pentagon pushed back on the notion of China preparing to invade Taiwan.
“Secretary Austin has said he does not believe that an invasion of Taiwan is imminent or inevitable,” said Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon Press Secretary.
Houlahan and McCaul said engaging with Taiwan and nations in the pacific will help fight the growing influence of China in the region.