US lawmakers visit Taiwan in show of support for new president after China’s military exercises

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A U.S. congressional delegation met Taiwan’s new leader on Monday, in a show of support shortly after China held exercises around the autonomous island in response to his inauguration speech.

Representative Andy Barr, co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus in the US Congress, said the United States is fully committed to supporting Taiwan militarily, diplomatically and economically.

“There should be no doubt, there should be no skepticism in the United States, in Taiwan or anywhere in the world, about the American determination to maintain the status quo and peace in the Taiwan Strait,” the Kentucky representative said at a press conference after the delegation met with the President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te.

Taiwan’s new Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung noted recent Chinese exercises and classified the visit of the American delegation as “an important gesture of solidarity” at a critical moment.

The delegation included Republicans and Democrats and was led by Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Texas Republican was sanctioned by China last year after visiting Taiwan in April.

The other members were Republicans Young Kim of California and Joe Wilson of South Carolina and Democrats Jimmy Panetta of California and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.

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Moritsugu reported from Hong Kong.

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