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Four U.S. senators from both parties arrived in Taiwan yesterday, signaling bipartisan support for the self-ruled democracy that China claims as its own. That same day, the leader of Taiwan's largest opposition party announced she'll visit China next week to meet with President Xi Jinping. As Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei, these developments came amid a fierce political fight over Taiwan's defense budget. A heads-up, this story includes the sound of gunfire.
ASHISH VALENTINE: Last November, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te warned China's goal was to be ready for military action against Taiwan in 2027.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT LAI CHING-TE: (Non-English language spoken).
VALENTINE: He asked lawmakers to approve billions of dollars in defense spending. But a recent report released by the U.S. director of national intelligence, Tulsa Gabbard, may complicate that push. It concludes China likely does not plan to invade Taiwan next year.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TULSI GABBARD: China likely prefers to set the conditions for an eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan short of conflict.
VALENTINE: The U.S. report reignited an already contentious debate in Taiwan over China's intentions and how Taipei should reasonably defend itself against its powerful neighbor. Lawmaker Ge Ru-jun of the opposition KMT says the report shows President Lai may be overstating the threat from China.
GE RU-JUN: It reveal that our leader, he should not only focus on the risky type of future of Taiwan.
VALENTINE: It also gave the head of his party, Cheng Li-wun, more confidence to meet with Xi Jinping - the first time a sitting leader of the KMT will meet with Xi in over 10 years. On Monday, she explained to reporters why she feels ready to meet with Xi.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CHENG LI-WUN: (Through interpreter) There is no need for war and conflict between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. We can rely on our wisdom and efforts to jointly forge a peaceful path.
VALENTINE: The KMT blocked President Lai's defense bill several times before allowing it onto the floor last week. Now it wants to scale the plan down by several billion dollars. Wang Ting-yu, a lawmaker with Lai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, says Washington's latest assessment can't be seen as an excuse to weaken Taiwan's resolve.
WANG TING-YU: This report released by United States, we notice that. However, we won't lower our guard because security of our people rely on how we invest our defense.
VALENTINE: Regardless of the ongoing fight in the legislature, some ordinary citizens are done waiting for politicians to act.
(SOUNDBITE OF AIRSOFT GUNS FIRING)
VALENTINE: In a church basement not far from the legislature in downtown Taipei, physician's assistant You Tien-Tsai trains with Airsoft guns alongside a group of volunteers a few times a month.
(SOUNDBITE OF AIRSOFT GUNS BEING RELOADED)
YOU TIEN-TSAI: (Through interpreter). I believe that regardless of the current situation, we must prepare ourselves and not rely on the U.S. or other countries.
VALENTINE: Ultimately, political scientist Ja Ian Chong at the National University of Singapore says, regardless of how the meeting between the Chinese Communist Party and Taiwan's opposition goes next week or the predictions of U.S. intelligence...
JA IAN CHONG: That does not take the use of force against Taiwan or the PRC's attempt to dominate Taiwan off the table.
VALENTINE: And he says only one person knows for sure what China's plan is for next year. That's Xi Jinping himself. For NPR News, I'm Ashish Valentine in Taipei.
(SOUNDBITE OF MINUTEMEN'S "COHESION") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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