2nd group of US lawmakers visit Taiwan since Lai inauguration

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – A second group of US lawmakers reached Taiwan on Wednesday for a meeting with the island's new president, William Lai Ching-te, who took charge last week.

“I’ve just landed in Taiwan with a delegation of my (US) Senate colleagues to demonstrate to the world that America stands firm with the island democracy,” said Dan Sullivan, a Republican.

Sullivan said the four-member group will “congratulate the Taiwanese people on another successful election and transfer of power.”

Earlier, a group of six US lawmakers led by US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul arrived in Taipei on Sunday to meet the new administration.

The visits come despite strong protests by China which deems the island nation as its own.

During their two-day stay, the second group will meet Lai and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, as well as National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.

China's Taiwan Affairs Council blasted Lai for his inaugural presidential speech in which he asked Taiwan to threatening the island, dubbing it as one promoting "two states” theory and attempting to seek "independence."

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said: "If allowed to develop, this will inevitably lead to dangerous and turbulent conditions in the Straits, inflicting great harm on the people of Taiwan."

“We will not tolerate this, we will not condone it, and we will not stand idly by,” Xhu said, noting that countermeasures and sanctions may become necessary.

China held large-scale military exercises around Taiwan three days after Lai assumed office.