TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Another U.S. congressional delegation is visiting Taiwan as tensions with China remain high over its claims to the self-governing island.
A steady stream of American tourists have come to meet Taiwanese officials since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in early August. In response, China has stepped up its military harassment of Taiwan, sending warships, warplanes and drones to the island on a daily basis.
A delegation led by Florida Democrat Stephanie Murphy met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Sept. 8, and the Chinese government has been tirelessly seeking to strip her of diplomatic recognition and participation in international organizations.
Speaking of China’s military threat, Tsai Ing-wen said the delegation’s visit “delivered the US Congress’ rock-solid support for Taiwan.”
“Taiwan will not succumb to pressure or coercion,” Tsai said. “We will defend our democratic system and way of life. Taiwan will not back down.”
Murphy replied that Congress “should promote greater participation by Taiwanese in international organizations.”
“Taiwan has shown itself to be a responsible member of the international community, especially on public health issues, and it should participate in international forums in due course,” she said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said China “strongly opposed and condemned” the congressional visit, saying it violated U.S. commitments to the “one China policy” that prohibits formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
“We will continue to take vigorous measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mao Zedong told a daily briefing.
Under the U.S. system of separation of powers, the executive branch of government has no legal right to prevent members of Congress from visiting Taiwan. China has repeatedly refused to recognize this principle.
Mao also warned Japan not to allow Taiwanese government officials to attend the formal funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. China has protested strongly after Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-de paid tribute at Abdul’s Tokyo residence following the July assassination.
“Japan should not … not provide the Taiwan independence forces with any platform for political manipulation,” Mao Zedong said. Throughout his political career, Abe has been a staunch supporter of Taiwan, a Japanese colony for 50 years until the end of World War II, with which it maintained close political, economic and social ties.
Murphy, who was born in Ho Chi Minh City to Vietnamese parents, was one of the lawmakers who introduced a bill that would allow the U.S. to supply arms to Taiwan, similar to the one that passed to Ukraine. Last week, the Biden administration approved $1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.
Murphy also said deepening economic ties with Taiwan is “one of the most important things Congress can do right now,” especially pushing for a “high-quality free trade agreement.” The administrations of Biden and Tsai Ing-wen are negotiating a trade deal.
Other visiting U.S. lawmakers were Hawaii Democrat Kaiali’i Kahele and Florida Republican Scott Franklin, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Andy Barr of Kentucky, Darrell Issa of California, Claudia Tenney of New York and Kat Cammack of Florida.
Pelosi is the highest-ranking member of the U.S. government to visit Taiwan in 25 years. In response, China held extended military exercises that included launching missiles over the island and sending ships across the centerline of the Taiwan Strait, which has long served as a buffer zone between the two countries. Some of the missiles fell into Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
China sees high-level foreign visits to Taiwan as interference in its affairs and a de facto recognition of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Some see China’s recent military drills as a rehearsal for future military action on the island, which U.S. military leaders say could take place in the next few years.
On September 7, Mao said in Beijing that China’s opposition to defense cooperation between Washington and Taipei was “consistent and clear.”
“We will resolutely respond to actions that undermine China’s sovereignty and security and interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Mao told reporters at a daily briefing, without giving details.
After Pelosi’s trip, U.S. senators and another congressional delegation visited Taiwan, as well as officials from Japan and Palau. The governors’ visits from Arizona and Indiana focused on semiconductors, an industry dominated by Taiwanese companies.
