In this photo released by the Presidential Office of Taiwan, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (right) wears a cowboy hat given to him by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) during a meeting in Taipei on Monday. A U.S. congressional delegation met with Taiwan’s new president on Monday in a show of support, shortly after China conducted drills around Taiwan following the new president’s inaugural speech.
AP/Office of the President of Taiwan (via AP)
Hide caption
Toggle caption
AP/Office of the President of Taiwan (via AP)
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Days after China conducted drills around Taiwan in response to the inauguration of the new Taiwanese leader, a U.S. congressional delegation met with Taiwan’s new leader on Monday to express their support.
Rep. Andy Barr, co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, said the United States fully supports Taiwan in military, diplomatic and economic terms.
“There should be no doubt or skepticism in the United States, Taiwan or anywhere in the world about the United States’ commitment to maintaining the status quo and peace in the Taiwan Strait,” the Kentucky Republican said at a news conference in the capital, Taipei, after his delegation met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
China considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be brought under its control, by force if necessary. The United States, like many other countries, has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is required by U.S. law to provide it with the means to defend itself.
The Chinese government strongly opposed the congressional visit, saying it would undermine U.S.-China relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the waterway connecting China and Taiwan.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said in Beijing that the lawmakers’ five-day visit “contradicts the U.S. government’s political commitment to maintain informal ties with Taiwan and sends a very wrong message to separatist forces for Taiwan independence.”
Lai, who took office a week ago, is expected to continue the policies of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, also from the Democratic Progressive Party.
Japanese Foreign Minister Lin Jiaxing referred to recent Chinese military exercises and called the U.S. delegation’s visit “an important gesture of solidarity at a critical time.”
The delegation included four Republicans and two Democrats and was led by Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Last year, China imposed sanctions on the Texas Republican after he visited Taiwan in April.
“The United States has been and will continue to be a trusted partner, and no coercion or intimidation can delay or stop regular congressional visits to Taiwan,” he said.
McCaul cited bills passed by Congress last month on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. China firmly opposes U.S. military aid to Taiwan, Mao said.
The other delegation members were Republicans Young Kim of California and Joe Wilson of South Carolina, and Democrats Jimmy Panetta of California and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.
