I agree with Senator Ricketts that we do need to up our game in East Asia and the Pacific.

The United States of America is committed to maintaining that peace and stability, we support the status quo, and we oppose changes to that status quo by either side.

When I talk about a grand strategy and as Senator Menendez does, we are talking about something far more comprehensive than just principles.

I am not convinced that we are nailing down everything that we can there.

You cannot beat something with nothing and, obviously, the Belt and Road Initiative includes a number of infrastructure investments.

We cannot allow China to establish preconditions for the opportunity to talk to them.

It is essential, in my view, as we think about spending the money that Chairman Van Hollen has indicated that we spend it according to a comprehensive strategy that we have developed.

Thank you and Administrator Power and all your colleagues at USAID for the terrific work you are doing in this region.

During the Cold War, Presidents Ford and Eisenhower and Reagan directed similar undertakings as we confronted the Soviet Union and I believe we should carry out the same type of strategic effort with regards to China.

We want to preserve the status quo. We will provide Taiwan with the military assistance and equipment it needs to make itself a porcupine, to deter aggression, and to defend itself.

The National Security Strategy laid out by President Biden and this Administration clearly establishes the goals and mission of our national security and foreign policy.

You cannot beat something with nothing and, obviously, the Belt and Road Initiative includes a number of infrastructure investments.

When I talk about a grand strategy and as Senator Menendez does, we are talking about something far more comprehensive than just principles.

I think you have outlined clearly the case for why it is vitally important to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

I think in a nutshell that is what the Washington Declaration means.

We cannot allow China to establish preconditions for the opportunity to talk to them.

We want to preserve the status quo. We will provide Taiwan with the military assistance and equipment it needs to make itself a porcupine, to deter aggression, and to defend itself.

It is essential, in my view, as we think about spending the money that Chairman Van Hollen has indicated that we spend it according to a comprehensive strategy that we have developed.