In this photo released by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from left, US House of Representatives Democrat Alan Lowenthal from California, Democratic House of Representatives members John Garamendi, General Manager Donald Yu-Tien Hsu, receive review. of North American Affairs, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives member Don Beyer from Virginia and Republican Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, a delegate from American Samoa, pose for a photo after boarding a government plane US at Songshan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan on Sunday, August 14, 2022.
Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs | via AP
A delegation of US lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a two-day trip during which they will meet President Tsai Ing-wen, the second high-profile group to visit amid military tensions. between the self-governing island and China.
Beijing, which claims Taiwan is democratically administered as its own territory, has conducted military exercises around the island to express anger over the visit of the US House of Representatives Speaker. Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taipei in early August.
The de facto US embassy in Taipei said the delegation was led by Senator Ed Markey, who was accompanied by four House lawmakers on what they described as part of a larger visit to the US. Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan’s presidential office said the group would meet with Tsai on Monday morning.
“Especially at a time when China is increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the region with military exercises, Markey led the delegation to visit Taiwan once again demonstrating the country’s unwavering support. American Association for Taiwan”.
Markey chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and the International Cybersecurity Subcommittee. The co-leaders of the visit were Representative John Garamendi of the Congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group and Representative Don Beyer, a spokesman for Markey.
Markey’s office said the lawmakers “will reaffirm US support for Taiwan in accordance with the guidance of the Taiwan Relations Act, the US-China Joint Communiqué and the Six Assurances, and will encourage stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait.”
The group will meet “elected leaders and members of the private sector to discuss common interests including reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and expanding economic cooperation, including investment in semiconductors,” said Markey’s office.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released photos of the four of the group landing at Songshan Airport in downtown Taipei when boarding a US Air Force transport plane, while Markey arrived at Taoyuan International Airport.
“The delegation will meet Taiwan’s senior leaders to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, global supply chains, climate change, and other issues.” other important matters of mutual interest,” the US embassy said in fact.
While China’s exercises around Taiwan have eased, the country is still conducting military operations.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said 11 Chinese military aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on Sunday. The ministry said 13 aircraft passed through the strait on Saturday.
