US congressional delegation makes first trip to Taiwan after island’s presidential election

Taipei, Taiwan — The co-chairs of the U.S. Congressional Taiwan Caucus on Wednesday opened the first trip by U.S. lawmakers to the island where the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won a third straight term in this month’s presidential election.

U.S. Reps. Ami Bera, a California Democrat, and Florida Republican Mario Díaz-Balart plan to “engage with senior officials and business leaders,” Bera’s office said in a statement, without naming those mention who they would meet.

“The purpose of the trip is to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan following the successful democratic elections, express solidarity in their shared commitment to democratic values, and explore opportunities to further advance the robust economic and defense relationship between the United States and Taiwan strengthen,” the spokesperson said. statement said.

China, America’s main rival for global influence, claims Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to use force to bring it under its control. Beijing has strongly condemned the election of current Vice President Lai Ching-te as Taiwan’s leader and appears ready to reverse its policy of refusing to engage with the island’s government, which was first established after the election of Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP in 2016.

Beijing objects to any official contact between the US and Taiwan and responded to a 2022 visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with some of the largest military maneuvers in years, including missile launches and a simulated blockade of the island. It considers visits by foreign government officials as recognition of the island’s sovereignty.

President Joe Biden has tried to calm that complaint, pointing out that there will be no change to America’s long-standing “one China policy,” which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.

Washington broke off formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 to recognize China, but U.S. law requires the country to ensure the island has the means to defend itself and to treat any outside threats as a serious concern.

While China regularly sends warplanes and naval vessels to intimidate and harass Taiwan, there was no discernible spike in activity on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Defense Ministry said seven Chinese warplanes and five naval ships had been detected near the island in the past 24 hours. It also said that two Chinese balloons flew over the northern and southern regions of the island. The nature of the balloons remains unclear.