The American Institute in Taiwan announced on May 26 that a delegation led by Republican Representative Michael McCaul, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, is visiting Taiwan. The visit will last from May 26 to 30, according to Reuters. Accompanying McCaul are Republican and Democratic congressmen. The US congressmen will meet with Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te on May 27.
Congressman Michael McCaul (fourth from left) visited Taiwan in April 2023
TAIWAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Congressman McCaul told Fox News that this was a "historic" event because it was the first visit by a US congressional delegation to meet with Taiwan's new leader, sending a message to China that the US supports the people of Taiwan and will work to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin warned that the lawmakers’ visit to Taiwan would seriously violate the one-China principle, interfere in China’s internal affairs, harm China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and send the wrong signal to Taiwan independence forces. Wang called on the US to stop official diplomatic contacts with Taiwan or face all the consequences.
China concludes two days of military exercises around Taiwan
The visit came after Lai took office on May 20. Three days later, China conducted military exercises around Taiwan and the Taipei-controlled islands in response to Lai's statements on inauguration day.
Eastern Theater Command spokesman Li Xi stressed that the new drills were a "strong punishment" response to "separatist actions" in Taiwan and "a stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces".
Speaking to reporters in Taipei on May 26, Lai said he "wants to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation through exchanges and cooperation with China... and move toward the vision of peace and common prosperity." At a Democratic Progressive Party meeting in Tainan on the same day, the leader called on China to "share the heavy responsibility for regional stability" with Taiwan, according to Reuters.
The US State Department has expressed deep concern over the exercises and called on China to exercise restraint. At the same time, the US said it remains committed to its long-standing one-China policy.
On May 24, two US senators, Ms. Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat) and Mr. Pete Ricketts (Republican), announced a bill to encourage coordination and relations between Europe and Taiwan, establishing a mechanism for NATO members in Europe to easily transfer US-made defense equipment to Taiwan, supporting the island's defense.
If passed, the bill would also require the US president to report to Congress on the economic impact of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, and the US and Europe would consider how to provide humanitarian aid to Taiwan if such a situation occurred.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phai-doan-nghi-si-my-co-chuyen-tham-lich-su-den-dai-loan-185240526200245711.htm
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