Following two days of massive military exercises by China to encircle Taiwan, a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers is expected to meet the newly-sworn-in President Lai Ching-te administration to hold talks on US-Taiwan relations, reports Taiwan News.
The delegation, which includes Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, arrived in Taipei on Sunday for a week of talks and will conclude their visit on May 30.
During their visit, the delegation is expected to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, as well as other issues of mutual interest, according to a press release from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
McCaul said the bipartisan group's visit to Taiwan this week “signals to the Chinese Communist Party that the United States stands with the people of Taiwan and will work to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.”
The American Institute in Taiwan said the trip, announced last week by Congressman Michael McCaul, is part of a larger trip that will also include other stops in the Indo-Pacific region.
McCaul is accompanied from Texas by a congressional delegation, including Representatives Young Kim and Jimmy Panetta of California, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Andy Barr of Kentucky and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, reports Taiwan News.
The delegation is expected to meet Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, with their visit taking place a week after his swearing-in.
The congressional visit comes after China on Saturday wrapped up two days of military exercises around Taiwan.
US Representative Jimmy Panetta said the visit demonstrates the “essential partnership” between Taiwan and the United States.
“I look forward to congratulating President Lai Ching-te on his inauguration and continuing to strengthen ties between our two countries,” Panetta said.
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