Three bills led or co-led by U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) have advanced through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, aiming to reinforce alliances and address concerns related to China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The first bill, the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act, seeks to protect Taiwan’s critical communications infrastructure. The legislation is intended to deter covert activities by the People’s Republic of China targeting undersea cables that are vital for global communication and commerce.
A second measure, the Taiwan Allies Fund Act, aims to strengthen Taiwan’s international relationships and counter economic and diplomatic pressure from China. The bill designates a portion of previously authorized funding to support both official and unofficial partners of Taiwan who may face coercion due to their ties with Taipei. This effort is designed to help smaller nations resist external pressure and reinforce Taiwan’s role in international affairs.
The third bill, called the Protecting Global Fisheries Act, targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices attributed to China. The legislation includes provisions for targeted sanctions as well as measures to enhance interagency reporting and international cooperation. Its goal is to protect marine ecosystems and global food security by supporting sustainable fishing practices.
Following the committee’s action on these bills, Senator Curtis stated: “Today’s passage of these bipartisan bills demonstrates Congress’ commitment to standing with our allies and safeguarding American interests from exploitation and coercion. From strengthening Taiwan’s resilience to defending the world’s oceans, the Committee actions today show the Senate is stepping up to address the challenges posed by China.”
These legislative moves come amid ongoing tensions between China and other countries regarding maritime security, environmental issues, and diplomatic relations.
