A delegation of US congressmen arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for an unannounced visit, a US diplomatic source on the island said. This visit of five people – a senator and four representatives, Democrats and Republican, which should last two days according to the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto embassy of the United States, comes a few days after the end of the most military maneuvers ever made by Beijing around Taiwan, in response to a visit to the island by Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
Is China planning an invasion?
Taipei has accused China of using Nancy Pelosi’s visit as an excuse to practice an invasion. In response, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the region. Washington will strengthen its trade relationship with Taiwan and make new air and sea crossings in the strait, in response to the “provocative” actions of China, announced Friday Kurt Campbell, coordinator of the White House for Asia-Pacific.
China considers Taiwan, with a population of around 23 million, to be one of its provinces, which it has yet to successfully reunify with the rest of its territory since the end of the Chinese Civil War ( 1949).
Beijing strongly opposes any official contact between Taiwan and other countries
Opposed to any initiative giving the Taiwanese authorities international legitimacy, Beijing is against any official contact between Taiwan and other countries. US officials visit the island frequently, but China considers the visit of Nancy Pelosi, one of the highest figures in the US state, to have been a major provocation.
“The delegation will meet with senior Taiwanese officials to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security issues, trade and investment, climate change,” the US Institute said. The Taiwanese Foreign Minister hailed the visit.
A meeting with Tsai Ing-wen on the program
As China continues to escalate tensions in the region, the US Congress has once again sent a high-level delegation to Taiwan, demonstrating a friendship that is unfazed by China’s threats and underscores resolute support. of the United States to Taiwan”.
US lawmakers will notably meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, he added.