The head of the US congressional panel that monitors its relationship with China has visited Taiwan to bolster ties, over one month after Lai Ching-te, who currently holds every senior political post on Taiwan including that of vice-president, won a close election for president of his self-governing island nation. Beijing views him as dangerous separatist and has increased patrols around his island home state.
Lai was elected president on January 13 in what many saw as an indirect challenge to Beijing, promising cross-strait peace and prosperity while strengthening Taiwan’s international standing. His election has caused anxiety in Beijing who see any moves by Taiwan to expand their global clout as threats to Chinese sovereignty.
Past Taiwanese responses included large-scale military exercises near Taiwan and ceasing cooperation with US officials, according to analysts. But a new sense of economic and political strength among officials has encouraged Taiwan’s new leader to open up relations with the outside world more deeply.
The United States does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but opposes any attempts by China to seize it by force, providing arms supplies as well as being one of Taiwan’s primary trading partners and investors.
Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has arrived in Taiwan for a three-day visit and is meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and president-elect Lai Ching-te, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). Also present on his delegation are Reps John Moolenaar from Michigan; Dusty Johnson from South Dakota; and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill).
MOFA announced that delegates will meet with leaders to discuss issues of mutual concern and regional security, while also meeting members of civil society during their visit.
As experts expect, one key item on the delegation’s agenda will be to increase support for the island. They may also seek solutions to other pressing matters like delays of certain arms deliveries.
China will likely respond strongly to the visit by Chinese lawmakers who see foreign lawmakers’ visits to Taiwan and Ukraine as provocation and interference in their affairs, while Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and has every right to invite lawmakers. Meanwhile, this trip by a House committee chair comes at a time when legislation to increase aid for Taiwan and Ukraine has stalled in Congress; perhaps revived when members reconvene after their February recess ends; bipartisan senators are currently pushing hard for passage and have introduced legislation which extends this aid package until 2025 with $750 million added for Ukraine and $1 billion more for Taiwan.
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