A group of visiting U-S senators are calling on lawmakers to pass the
government's 1.25-trillion N-T special defense budget bill to fund planned
purchases of American weapons systems.

The delegation is led by by Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, and included Republican Senator John Curtis, who
also sits on the committee.

They arrived in Taiwan at Taipei's Songshan Airport early Monday morning for
a two-day visit.

During a meeting with President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office,
Shaheen said the U-S recognizes Taiwan's moves to strengthen its own defense
and resilience.


Curtis said the Lai administration's steps to boost the island's defense are
being noticed in the U-S.


The President told the visiting U-S senators that his proposed special
defense budget is the most comprehensive proposal and he also took the time
to call on lawmakers to pass it as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs say the visiting U-S senators will also be
meeting with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung
..

.. and those discussions will be focusing on issues related to US-Taiwan
relations, regional security, and other matters of mutual interest.