Following Pelosi, 5 US Lawmakers Visit Taiwan

11 Days After Pelosi's Visit... Meeting Scheduled with Taiwan President
Taiwan "Expecting Deepened Cooperation with US," Chinese Embassy in US "US Does Not Want Taiwan Stability"

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] Amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China following Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visiting Taiwan, five members of the U.S. Congress visited Taiwan again on the 14th. This visit came just 11 days after Speaker Pelosi left Taiwan.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the U.S. de facto embassy in Taiwan, issued a statement saying that a congressional delegation of five members led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey visited Taiwan as part of their Indo-Pacific tour.

The delegation included Democratic Representatives John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal, and Don Beyer, along with Republican Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.

According to AIT, the delegation is scheduled to meet with senior local leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, global supply chains, climate change, and mutual interests.

The Taiwan Presidential Office announced that the delegation is scheduled to meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on the morning of the 15th.

China strongly opposed Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, who ranks third in the U.S. power hierarchy, by sending military aircraft into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait to conduct military exercises, demonstrating military force. China also declared the suspension of eight dialogue and cooperation channels with the U.S., further straining U.S.-China relations.

On the other hand, the U.S. maintains the "One China" policy and does not support Taiwan’s independence, but states that it will continue to support Taiwan’s self-defense under the Taiwan Relations Act.

Regarding China’s military demonstrations, the U.S. rebutted that Pelosi’s visit was a routine congressional visit and that China used it as a political pretext to suppress Taiwan.

In its statement, AIT said the visit by Senator Markey and others "occurred amid China’s military exercises that escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the region," and "once again demonstrates the firm support of the U.S. Congress for Taiwan."

Senator Markey’s office also issued a statement saying the visit will promote stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Chang Tun-han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Presidential Office, said, "Through this exchange, we hope to continuously deepen cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S., protect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region, and strengthen democratic resilience worldwide."

The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. criticized the visit, stating, "U.S. lawmakers should act in accordance with the U.S. government’s 'One China' policy," and said this visit once again proves that the U.S. does not want stability in the Taiwan Strait.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.