TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US Senate will give heightened focus to security issues in the Indo-Pacific region this month, with a raft of legislation to boost cooperation with Taiwan and counter Chinese aggression. 

Next week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a public hearing on combating China’s dangerous behavior in the Indo-Pacific. On Oct. 22, a raft of legislation focused on US priorities in the Indo-Pacific will be reviewed including four bills aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s security posture and international relations.

After a line by line review by lawmakers, the following legislation is likely to receive a vote on the Senate floor.

An amendment (S.2224) to the Taipei Act is proposed to oppose attempts by China to distort language or policies related to Taiwan’s international status. Another bill (S.2960) calls for the US to prepare a slate of economic sanctions to deter China following a blockade or invasion of Taiwan.

A bill labeled as the Porcupine Act (S.1744) would ease export controls on military equipment  sold to Taiwan sourced from the US or allied nations. The committee will also review the US-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act (S.2684)  which would strengthen Taiwan’s diplomatic relations with allies in Central and South America.

Other legislation to be reviewed by the Foreign Relations Committee calls for combating the international sale of Chinese weapons, and imposing economic costs on China for its role assisting Russia in the war targeting Ukraine.