The arrival of a delegation from the US Congress to Taiwan
A delegation from the US Congress arrived in Taiwan on Sunday, according to an institute considered as Washington's embassy in Taipei, days after China conducted military exercises in the vicinity of the island in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Sunday's previously unannounced visit came after Pelosi angered Beijing by visiting Taiwan earlier this month, prompting China to conduct unprecedented air and sea maneuvers that raised the possibility of conflict.
A statement from the American Institute in Taiwan said that "Senator Ed Markey, Representative John Garamendi, Representative Alan Lowenthal, Representative Don Pierre and Representative Omoa Amata Coleman Redwagen will visit Taiwan from August 14 to 15, 2022, as part of a broader visit to the Indo-Pacific region."
"The delegation will meet with high-ranking Taiwanese leaders to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, global supply chains, climate change, as well as other important issues of common concern," he added.
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry praised the delegation's visit as another indication of the warming relations between Taipei and Washington.
In a statement on Sunday, she expressed her "warm welcome" to the delegation.
"At a time when China continues to escalate tension in the region, the US Congress has again arranged for a high-level delegation to visit Taiwan, which reflects a friendship that does not fear China's threats and intimidation, and underscores the United States' strong support for Taiwan," she said.
The delegation will meet President Tsai Ing-wen and attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, according to the Taiwanese ministry.
"The two sides will have an extensive exchange of views on issues such as the security of Taiwan and the United States and trade relations," she added.
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