China protests as US lawmakers meet Taiwan's new president

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Monday lodged a protest with the US as a group of American lawmakers met Taiwan’s President William Lai Cheng-te.

It is the first trip to the self-ruled island by US lawmakers, this time led by US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, since Lai was inaugurated as the eighth Taiwanese president last week.

Beijing “will take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

She said the trip to Taiwan by the US lawmakers “violates the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, undermines the US government's political commitments of maintaining only unofficial relations with the island.”

The trip “sends the wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, Mao said, adding: “There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of it.”

In Taipei, the six-member US congressional delegation reiterated Washington's “long-term support” for Taiwan, stressing that Washington will continue to be the self-governed island’s “reliable partner.”

McCaul said the delegation was appointed by US House Speaker Mike Johnson to “convey congratulations” to Lai on his inauguration.

“The forces of China conducted intimidating military exercises, sending 110 aircraft and 46 warships, demonstrating they are not interested in taking Taiwan by peaceful means," said the Republican lawmaker.

Beijing held two-day large-scale military exercises last week, first time since Lai was sworn-in to the office, succeeding Tsai Ing-wen, who served as president for two consecutive terms since 2016.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said it “firmly opposes military ties between the US and the Taiwan island, opposes arming Taiwan, and urges relevant US lawmakers to stop playing the Taiwan card.”

Mao called on the US to stop “interfering in China's internal affairs, stop supporting and condoning the Taiwan independence separatist forces, and stop undermining China-US relations and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits.”

In a meeting with Lai, Mac Caul called on all democracies to "stand together against aggression and tyranny, whether the tyranny is Russian President Vladimir Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping," according to the Taipei-based Focus Taiwan news website.

In his comments, Lai expressed his admiration of late US President Ronald Reagan's "peace through strength concept."

"Moving forward, my administration will continue to enhance national defense, showing the world the determination of Taiwan's people to defend their home," Lai told the visiting US lawmakers.