The United States House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Indo-Pacific Subcommittee held a roundtable forum in Orange County, California on August 6th, focusing on the theme “Global Connections, Local Impact” to discuss why Taiwan is important to California. Subcommittee Chair Young Kim emphasized that Taiwan is not just a matter concerning a home 7,000 miles away, but it is essential for more Americans to understand that Taiwan’s security is closely tied to the lives of the American people.
The roundtable forum was attended by participants such as Stanford University’s Hoover Research Fellow, Ren-Yi Chen, lawyer Qi-Geng Chen, accountant Chin-Chi Lin, and Congressman Jay Obernolte. Young Kim, a Korean-American Republican member of Congress representing California’s 40th district, who has visited Taiwan twice, holds a comprehensive understanding of Asia-Pacific affairs.
Young Kim expressed her delight in engaging in dialogue with the expert panel. She mentioned that the participants, Qi-Geng Chen and Chin-Chi Lin, are not only successful businessmen and community leaders but, like all Taiwanese-Americans, they contribute to the livelihood and economy of the United States.
As the increasingly evident ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party towards Taiwan are exposed, tensions in the Taiwan Strait are escalating. Young Kim expressed her hope to bring the daily Washington discussions on “Why Taiwan is Important” to Southern California through live participation and online streaming, aiming to explain to the people of Southern California why the United States should care for and support Taiwan.
“I hope to instill a sense of urgency in everyone that Taiwan’s affairs are not just someone else’s issue 7,000 miles away from us. This issue will impact the lives of Californians and all Americans,” Young Kim said. While the US government has prepared for potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait, American citizens need to understand that an attack on or blockade of Taiwan would have significant economic repercussions globally, affecting various aspects of American life.
With over 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductors produced in Taiwan, any conflict in the Taiwan Strait would inevitably disrupt the global supply chain. From smartphones to household appliances like microwaves and TVs, even refueling cars would face issues if the chip supply chain is interrupted, demonstrating that “Made in Taiwan” is closely intertwined with the lives of Americans.
As the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, Young Kim consistently emphasizes to all sectors that Taiwan is a trustworthy partner of the United States and a reliable ally globally. She believes Taiwan should be included in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the pandemic, Taiwan not only set an excellent example with its epidemic prevention policies but also extended a helping hand by providing epidemic prevention materials to various regions worldwide, making it a very dependable international friend.
In addition to supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, Young Kim also urges the US government in Congress to ensure that the billions of dollars’ worth of weapons purchased by Taiwan are delivered on time. She stated, “We are not giving it for free; this is paid for by Taiwan.” According to the Taiwan Relations Act of the United States, the US must provide the necessary weapons and equipment Taiwan requires, with defense startups in Southern California also engaging in the manufacture and production of these new 21st-century weapons, further proving the close ties and positive interaction between Taiwan and California.