Taiwan receives another US congressional delegation, drawing ire from China

Taipei, Taiwan - Taiwan's president received another delegation of US lawmakers in her office on Thursday and vowed to deepen cooperation amid growing tensions with China.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meets US Rep. Stephanie Murphy and other members of the US delegation at the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, on September 8, 2022.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meets US Rep. Stephanie Murphy and other members of the US delegation at the presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, on September 8, 2022.  © REUTERS

Recent visits to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several delegations of members of Congress have drawn ire from Beijing.

In response to Pelosi's visit, China held large-scale military maneuvers around Taiwan, followed by a new round of drills. The US has also sent warships through the Taiwan Strait.

US Representative Stephanie Murphy, who is leading the latest delegation and is also a member fo the House Armed Services Committee, said at the meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen that the visit is "a symbol of Congress' rock-solid commitment to Taiwan."

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Tsai said Taiwan will continue to work with the US to forge even closer trade and economic ties. She also addressed the threat from China in her comments.

"Taiwan will not bow to pressure or coercion. We will defend our democratic institutions and way of life," Tsai said.

The delegation arrived late Wednesday and will stay until Friday.

Other members of the delegation include Democrat Kaiali'i Kahele and Republicans Scott Franklin, Joe Wilson, Andy Barr, Darrell Issa, Claudia Tenney, and Kat Cammack.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the democratic island part of its territory and opposes any form of official contacts of countries and Taiwan.

Cover photo: REUTERS

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