TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Senators Roger Wicker and Deb Fischer have departed on an Indo-Pacific tour that includes a stop in Taiwan.

The lawmakers said the trip is aimed at reinforcing US national security interests, per News Nation. Their itinerary begins in Hawaii, where they will visit military installations, before continuing on to Guam, Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Before departing on Friday, Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Congress plays a vitally important role in reassuring US allies and partners of our commitment to maintaining a favorable regional order in the Indo-Pacific.” He added that he hoped to help President Donald Trump achieve “peace through strength.”

Fischer said that maintaining freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific “plays a crucial role in safeguarding our nation’s and our allies’ security” amid China’s ongoing military buildup. She added that she looked forward to examining how the US can “strengthen our posture in the region in order to safeguard American interests and our allies.”