A delegation of US lawmakers led by US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul arrived in Taiwan yesterday for a three-day visit that includes meeting President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) tomorrow.
“Being here sends a signal to the Chinese Communist Party that the United States supports Taiwan,” McCaul told reporters at Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport), adding that the US is to harden Taiwan so China would “think twice about invading Taiwan.”
Asked whether the visit could trigger a hostile reaction from China, which has condemned Tsai’s meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, McCaul said: “We are not going to let this intimidation get to us.”
Photo courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The delegation is to conduct important meetings during their visit, discussing arms delivery from the US and whether Taiwan is prepared to deter China, he said.
The US can arm Taiwan and give Taiwan assurances of self-defense according to the Taiwan Relations Act, but whether the US would come to Taiwan’s aid militarily in case of a Chinese invasion, “ultimately it’s going to be made by the American people,” he said.
Presidential Office spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka said that the US Congress has been playing an important role in boosting Taiwan-US relations.
The committee supports Taiwan by proposing various legislation affirming US commitment to Taiwan, she said.
The visit can deepen Taiwan’s ties with the US, she said, adding that as a force for good in maintaining regional peace, Taiwan will continue to safeguard democracy and freedom.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Yui (俞大?) welcomed the delegation, which also includes US representatives Young Kim, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, Ami Bera, French Hill, Guy Reschenthaler, Madeleine Dean, Michael Lawler and Nathaniel Moran.
They are to meet with Tsai, Vice President William Lai (賴清德) and other government officials to discuss issues concerning Taiwan-US relations, as well as to attend a banquet held by Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫?) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the ministry said in a statement.
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