US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan's defense with bipartisan visit days after China's ‘punishment' military drills

US lawmakers pledged to strengthen Taiwan’s defense against China during a visit to the country after Beijing conducted military exercises near the island. The drills were the largest China has conducted in over a year and occurred shortly after Taiwan inaugurated its new president, who is disliked by Beijing for advocating for the island’s sovereignty. US Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the drills an “intimidation tactic” and vowed to expedite the delivery of defensive weapons to Taiwan. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to take it by force if necessary.