TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on US Representative Michael McCaul on Tuesday.
In a speech, Lai thanked McCaul for his long-standing support for strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities, including urging the White House to expedite arms deliveries and supporting Taiwan’s special defense budget, per the Presidential Office. These concrete actions demonstrate Congress’ support for Taiwan’s security, he said.
The president said Taiwan and the US share democratic values and are jointly maintaining regional peace and stability. As China’s authoritarianism continues to expand, Taiwan remains committed to defending democracy under the principle of peace through strength, he said.
Lai stressed that Taiwan will continue to implement defense reforms, strengthen asymmetric capabilities, build an integrated drone warfare system, and enhance whole-of-society resilience. He also expressed hope to deepen cooperation with the US in joint weapons research and production.
McCaul said Taiwan has proven that democracy works. The Chinese Communist Party’s primary goal is to undermine Taiwan–US relations and change US policy, he said.
However, the representative reaffirmed that the Taiwan Relations Act remains the cornerstone of bilateral ties. Under the act, the US is required to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons and continues to fulfill that commitment, he added.
McCaul delivered a keynote speech at the Ketagalan Forum on Monday, reiterating that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged and pledging that US arms sales would continue.
