TAIPEI, Nov 25 (Asia Free Press): A US House of Representatives delegation arrived in Taiwan for a short trip expected to focus on security matters, the second time in a month US lawmakers have visited, according to media reports.
The five member delegation is visiting Taiwan after China has stepped up military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty over the island. The government of Taiwan, spurring in anger, has vowed to defend freedom and democracy, reported Reuters.
As per the de facto US embassy in Taiwan, the delegation members are Mark Takano, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Colin Allred, Elissa Slotkin, Sara Jacobs and Nancy Mace.
They are scheduled to leave on Friday, it added.
“The congressional delegation will meet with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, and other significant issues of mutual interest,” it said.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said Thursday; the trip was expected to focus on meetings with defence officials as well as with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.
“The visit once against showed the strength of the friendship between Taiwan and the United States,”
Tsai’s office said in a statement.
It is the second trip of lawmakers to Taiwan this month.
Earlier this month, the Chinese military conducted a combat readiness patrol near the Taiwan Strait and announced they had come by military plane during the congressional delegation’s visit to Taiwan.
Even though the United States has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it remains the island’s most important international supporter and weaponry supplier, to Beijing’s displeasure.
