By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Washington introduced legislation Wednesday to support Taiwan’s accession as a non-borrowing Member of the Inter-American Development Bank.

This bill is part of a continuing effort by Congress and others in Washington to raise Taiwan’s international profile. As tensions rise between Taiwan and China (which claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory), the bill was introduced.

According to the measure, Congress would need to be provided with strategies by the State Department for diplomatic support to Taiwan membership. This is a step up from Taiwan’s observer status.

Senate already approved legislation that directs the State Department, to create a strategy to help Taiwan obtain observer status in the World Health Assembly. The World Health Organization’s decision making body.

“We are committed to continue working to ensure the United States does everything in its power to champion Taiwan’s international engagement and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the people of Taiwan,” Senator Robert Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.

In recent weeks, China has conducted numerous air raids over Taiwan Strait (the waterway that separates the mainland and island), multiple times.

Menendez co-sponsored the bill along with Democratic Senators Tim Kaine (Ed Markey) and Republican Senators Jim Risch. Risch is the most senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Panel, while Inhofe holds the rank of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

According to lawmakers, Taiwan demonstrated its ability to play a significant role in the west hemisphere. This contributes significantly towards the development of Latin America’s and Caribbean economies.

Separately, Joe Biden on Wednesday assured Southeast Asian nations that the United States would support them in protecting democracy and freedom of navigation. Biden called China’s threats to security and peace “coercive” while also stating that the United States is ready to stand beside them.