TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation reaffirmed its support for Taiwan during a visit Thursday after the election of a new president. The delegation’s visit is the first by a U.S. lawmaker to the island since the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won a third consecutive term in legislative elections. January 13 election.
China, the United States’ main competitor for global influence, claims Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to use force to bring the self-governing island under its control. Beijing has strongly condemned Lai Ching-te’s election and appears ready to continue its policy of refusing dialogue with the island’s government – a practice in place since the election of outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016.
“US support for Taiwan is strong. It’s real and it’s 100% bipartisan,” said U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz Balart.
Balart, a Florida Republican, was joined by California Democrat Ami Bera. “In the 21st century, there is no room for aggressive action. We must learn to live together, trade together, work together, solve problems together,” Bera said.
In a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan, with the country’s president-elect, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ami Bera from California said the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is important.
“Just know that we are proud of the Taiwanese people. We are proud of this relationship, as strong as it has always been. It’s assured. It will be even stronger,” Balart said.
“We therefore look forward to working together to continue to protect Taiwan’s peace, prosperity (and) future.” It depends on the Taiwanese people,” Bera said.
President-elect Lai thanked the co-chairs of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus for their visit, saying that “Today’s Taiwan is a Taiwan of the world.”
Lai also discussed continued U.S. military assistance and a proposed agreement to avoid mutual corporate taxation.
Beijing opposes any form of official contact between the United States and Taiwan. In 2022, it responded to a visit from then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with some of its biggest military maneuvers in years, including missile launches and a simulated blockade of Taiwan. He views visits by representatives of foreign governments as recognition of the island’s sovereignty.
President Joe Biden, seeking to assuage this complaintinsists on the fact that there is no change in long-standing US “one China” policywhich recognizes Beijing as representing China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taiwan.
During a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan, with the country’s president-elect, Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart said he was part of a delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives.
Washington severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 to recognize China, but U.S. law requires it to ensure the island has the ability to defend itself. This has resulted in Taiwan’s heavy reliance on US military hardware and a law stipulating that Washington must treat threats to the island as a matter of “serious concern.”
China regularly sends warplanes and navy ships to intimidate and harass Taiwan, with 18 planes and six ships operating near the island in the 24 hours before 6 a.m. Thursday. Three Chinese balloons were recorded as they crossed the island, although it remains unclear whether they had a military or intelligence-gathering objective,
“We understand the pressures and the type of coercion from the Chinese Communist Party, and yet the people of Taiwan have spoken out loud and clear,” Balart said at a news conference Thursday evening. “Taiwan is a beacon of hope, life, freedom and democracy and that contrasts so much with what we see coming from the Chinese Communist Party.”
Bera said Taiwan’s future “should not be dictated by any external power.” But Taiwan’s future depends on the Taiwanese people.
The United States does not want to change the status quo between China and Taiwan, but “we must respond to external and other pressures that could potentially change that status quo,” Bera said. “It’s about seeking peace, prosperity and the right to one’s own future.”