Renew: 14/08/2022 15:24
Issued by: 14/08/2022, 14:00
Taipei – A five-member delegation from the US Congress arrives in Taiwan. US lawmakers plan to meet top Taiwanese officials, including President Cai Jing-wen, over the next two days, world bodies said, citing the US embassy in Taiwan.
The trip came just 12 days after the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China responded to this trip with the biggest military exercises to date around the island and diplomatic steps.
The US delegation was led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey, and the visit to Taiwan was part of a larger Asia tour by members of Congress, the American Taiwan Institute said. They will discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade, investment and other topics with local officials.
Taiwan’s president’s office said members of Congress would meet with Cai Jing-wen on Monday morning. “Especially at a time when China is increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region with its military exercises, the visit of a delegation led by Markey demonstrates once again the United States Congress’ strong support for Taiwan,” the office said in a statement.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and increasingly dislikes visits by foreign politicians to the island. Beijing has previously said that if Taiwan tries to declare independence, it will not hesitate to use military force to regain control of the island.
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