More than 20 United States senators are urging immediate delivery of defense aid and arms sales to Taiwan in a joint statement to the country’s administration. The push comes one week after Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) visited President Donald Trump in Washington September 23 to 25.

China’s Foreign Ministry reported that bilateral talks at the White House included Xi insisting the United States oppose Taiwan independence. Trump recounted to reporters that the two did not discuss Taiwan at length.

Trump said, “We didn’t spend a lot of time talking about Taiwan. He understands very much how I feel,” per NHK World-Japan.

CNA reported that the senator’s joint statement, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, says U.S. support for Taiwan’s self-defense is “non-negotiable” and crucial to preventing conflict in the Taiwan Strait that would destabilize the region and threaten the global economy.

The statement urges the Trump administration to immediately deliver the defense assistance to Taiwan approved by Congress, including US$1.3 billion in funding, existing arms sales, and a weapons package approved nine months ago totaling US$14 billion.

The senators also emphasized the importance of Washington standing beside its Indo-Pacific allies to counter Beijing’s economic and military pressure, including increasing provocations in the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Senators who jointly issued the statement include Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed, Chris Coons, Chris Murphy, Chris Van Hollen, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, and Elissa Slotkin.

Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker in a press release said he met with Taiwan’s Representative to the U.S. Alexander Yui (俞大㵢) earlier this week to discuss the United States’ security commitment to Taiwan and China’s increasing provocations towards its Indo-Pacific allies.

Wicker cited the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, stating that the U.S. is obligated to provide defensive weapons to Taiwan.