Press Releases

TYLER, TEXAS – Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) is returning today following an extended visit to the Indo-Pacific region, where he was part of a nine-person Congressional Delegation, referred to as CODEL, that visited Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The purpose of the trip, led by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, was to meet with foreign leaders and partners in the region to conduct oversight and strengthen U.S. partnerships and alliances in the face of increased aggression from China, especially toward Taiwan. 

While overseas, Congressman Moran and the Delegation met with the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida; the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol; and the President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen. The delegation also met with their legislative counterparts in each of the countries, defense and military officials, and business leaders – including those involved in the semiconductor and defense industries, some of which have recently made multi-billion dollar investments in Texas.

The consistent theme echoed by each country was their desire to increase diplomatic, economic, and military ties with the United States in a manner that would result in peace, stability, prosperity, and freedom for the region. 

According to Congressman Moran, “it is clear that China has set its sights on Taiwan. In just the past few years, China has become increasingly more aggressive and provocative towards Taiwan. No doubt, these actions are part of a larger plan to dominate the world stage and box in the United States. America must stand firm to secure the sovereignty of Taiwan and ensure that it has the power to self-determine its future without outside interference from a totalitarian regime like the Chinese Communist Party.”

The Delegation also met with U.S. military leaders in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Seventh Fleet stationed in Japan, military personnel in Guam, and troops stationed along the DMZ in Korea. These meetings focused on military readiness and what actions are necessary to strengthen our military and our effort to deter further Chinese aggression in the region.

Before ending its tour of the region, the Delegation stopped in Taiwan where they visited the Taiwan legislature – an event that has not occurred in forty-four years. The delegation’s visit with Taiwan President Tsai came just days after her visit to California to meet with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Ahead of this meeting, Congressman Moran and other members of the CODEL received an official email communication from China expressing “deep concern and firm opposition” to their trip abroad.

“China’s attempts to intimidate the Delegation and bully Taiwan only further my resolve to stand firm in opposition to their unprovoked aggression. They obviously don’t understand Texans if they think intimidation will cause us to back down,” Congressman Moran stated in regard to the email communication. “There is a clear difference in the paths of partnership presented by the United States and Communist China – one offers democracy, liberty, and a society based on the rule of law; the other offers communism, tyranny, and a society based on the rule of force. It is clear to me that Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan want to choose the path of freedom with the United States. We need to make sure that happens. It’s not only in their national interest, but it’s in ours.”