Two US lawmakers met with Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te on Thursday to reaffirm US support for the island that China considers part of its territory.
House Members Ami Bera, Democrat, and Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican, co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, arrived in Taipei on Wednesday and are expected to stay until Friday.
“Among the main messages we are bringing today (...) is the fact that the United States' support for
Taiwan
is firm, real and 100% bipartisan
,” they declared during a meeting with Mr. Lai.
Despite warnings from Beijing that Lai Ching-te would bring
"war and decline"
to Taiwan, he won the January 13 presidential election.
This is a third term for the Democratic Progressive Party, which rejects China's claims to the island.
According to Lai Ching-te, currently Tsai Ing-wen's vice president, this visit demonstrates that the United States' support is
"rock solid
. "
It is the second visit by a US delegation since the start of the year and comes after Nauru, a small Pacific state, said it was severing diplomatic ties with Taipei to restore ties with Beijing.
Chinese military pressure
This unexpected announcement, which came just days after the presidential election in Taiwan, means that only 12 states, including the Vatican, now officially recognize Taiwan, which Beijing considers one of its provinces, to be reunified by force if necessary.
Washington officially recognizes Beijing and not Taipei, even though it is a key partner of Taiwan and one of its main arms suppliers.
China has stepped up its military pressure in recent years, deploying fighter jets and ships around Taiwan almost daily.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported 18 warplanes, six boats and three Chinese balloons around the island.
On the same day, according to the United States Navy, an American warship crossed the Taiwan Strait, between China and the island.