Taiwan’s new president will get backing from U.S. Congress delegation after China drills : NPR

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, right, puts on a cowboy hat given by Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, during a Monday meeting in Taipei, Taiwan. A U.S. congressional delegation met Taiwan's new leader on Monday in a show of support shortly after China held drills around the self-governing island in response to his inauguration speech.

On this photograph launched by the Taiwan Presidential Workplace, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, proper, places on a cowboy hat given by Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, throughout a Monday assembly in Taipei, Taiwan. A U.S. congressional delegation met Taiwan’s new chief on Monday in a present of help shortly after China held drills across the self-governing island in response to his inauguration speech.

AP/Taiwan Presidential Workplace by way of AP

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AP/Taiwan Presidential Workplace by way of AP

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A U.S. congressional delegation met Taiwan’s new chief on Monday in a present of help days after China held drills across the self-governing island in response to his inauguration.

Rep. Andy Barr, the co-chair of the Taiwan caucus within the U.S. Congress, mentioned the US is absolutely dedicated to supporting Taiwan militarily, diplomatically and economically.

“There needs to be little doubt, there needs to be no skepticism in the US, Taiwan or wherever on this planet, of American resolve to take care of the established order and peace within the Taiwan Strait,” the Republican from Kentucky mentioned at a information convention within the capital, Taipei, after the delegation met Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

Taiwanese air force Mirage 2000 fighter jets wait for take off at a base in Hsinchu in northern Taiwan on Thursday.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should come below its management, by power if vital. The U.S., like most nations, doesn’t have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan however is sure by its personal legal guidelines to offer the island with the means to defend itself.

The Chinese language authorities expressed sturdy opposition to the congressional go to, saying it undermined China-U.S. relations and peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait, referring to the waterway between China and Taiwan.

The lawmakers’ five-day go to “ran towards the political dedication of the U.S. authorities to take care of solely unofficial relations with Taiwan, sending a significantly unsuitable sign to the separatist power of Taiwan independence,” International Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned in Beijing.

Lai, who took workplace one week in the past, is predicted to proceed the insurance policies of Tsai Ing-wen, his predecessor from the identical Democratic Progressive Social gathering.

The brand new overseas minister, Lin Chia-lung, famous the current Chinese language drills and known as the American delegation’s go to “an necessary gesture of solidarity” at a vital time.

The delegation included 4 Republicans and two Democrats and was led by Rep. Michael McCaul, the chair of the Home International Affairs Committee. Final yr, China sanctioned the Texas Republican after he visited Taiwan in April.

“America is and at all times might be a dependable companion, and no quantity of coercion or intimidation will decelerate or cease the routine visits by the Congress to Taiwan,” he mentioned.

McCaul cited congressional approval final month of a navy help invoice for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. China firmly opposes the U.S. arming Taiwan, Mao mentioned.

The opposite delegation members had been Republicans Younger Kim from California and Joe Wilson from South Carolina and Democrats Jimmy Panetta from California and Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania.