US House of Representatives delegation visits Taiwan

By Emre Aytekin

BEIJING, China (AA) - A seven-member delegation from the US House of Representatives visited Taiwan amid its continuing sovereignty disputes with China, reported local Taiwanese media.

The delegation led by Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai Ching-te during the visit, news channel CNA reported.

The delegation's visit coincided with the US State Department’s approval of a $75 million arms sale to Taiwan.

During their talks, members of the delegation expressed bipartisan support for the Taiwanese government.

They also discussed expediting processes related to military hardware and ammunition delivery, which had been delayed despite a prior agreement.

China decried the delegation's visit, urging Washington to stop “meddling” in the island's affairs.

At a press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: "Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. We oppose the US establishing any form of official relationship with Taiwan and meddling in Taiwan's internal affairs under any pretext."

The delegation is expected to stay until Saturday as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region.

China considers Taiwan its "breakaway province," while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz