U.S. lawmakers visit Taiwan, meet leader despite China's ire

U.S. lawmakers visit Taiwan, meet leader despite China's ire
August 15, 2022, 2:45 pm

On July 26, President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen boardered on a destroyer to watch the national Navy & Air Force in action - 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen @iingwen Twitter account

Five U.S. lawmakers visiting Taiwan on Monday (August 15) met Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and other lawmakers in a show of support for Taiwan amid escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the Anews reported, citing media agencies.

It said, the U.S. congressional delegation arrived on Sunday (August 14) for a surprise two-day visit, which followed a trip earlier this month by Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

China increased pressure on Taiwan both militarily and economically after Pelosi's 19-hour visit to Taipei on August 2-3.

The delegation includes Republicans and Democrats and is made up of Senator Ed Markey and Representatives John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal, Don Beyer and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.

Local TV reports showed the lawmakers entering the presidential office to meet with Tsai on Monday then heading to the parliamentary building nearby.

Our visit reiterates that America stands with Taiwan: a robust, vibrant democracy and our important partner in the Indo-Pacific - Nancy Pelosi official Twitter account

Legislator Lo Chih-cheng of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) told reporters that issues discussed at a meeting with U.S. lawmakers include future Taiwan-US military cooperation.

Lo said the U.S. group's visit at such a sensitive time, coming shortly after China's large-scale drills near Taiwan, shows that Beijing cannot prevent leading political figures from around the world from visiting Taiwan.

Taiwan rejects China's 'one country, two systems' plan for the island

Lo said: "Their arrival also delivers an important message that American people are standing with Taiwanese people.”

Tsai's office has not released any details about the meeting.

Markey said on Twitter: "I'm travelling to Taiwan with a bipartisan congressional delegation to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan and encourage stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait.”

Pelosi's visit to Taiwan: China says Washington must bear 'serious consequences'

In Beijing, China's Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said on Monday that the visit by the U.S. delegation undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the island part of its territory. Beijing rejects official contacts between other countries and Taipei.

Source: anews

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