TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — U.S. senators proposed a bill that if China invades Taiwan, comprehensive sanctions be imposed to deter aggression against Taiwan. 

“Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies (STAND) with Taiwan Act” was co-sponsored by Senator Tammy Duckworth and Senator Dan Sullivan, who are both members of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, per CNA. The two senators reportedly first made Taiwanese officials aware of the bill when a U.S. congressional delegation visited in May. 

The bill, proposed on July 25, would impose comprehensive economic, energy, financial, and other sanctions on China if the People's Liberation Army (PLA) initiates military aggression against Taiwan, according to Sullivan's office. 

The bill would bar U.S.-based financial institutions from doing business with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members and Chinese financial institutions, or making any investments “that benefit the CCP.” It would also restrict goods imported from China. 

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanked the U.S. Congress for its support. Taiwan will pay close attention to the progress of the bill’s subsequent review, said MOFA spokesperson Jeff Liu (劉永健).