TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwanese President Lai Ching-toku spoke by phone Thursday with U.S. Congressional leaders during a visit to Guam, the second U.S. stop on his Pacific Islands tour.
In a post on X, Lai said he had met with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to discuss security and economic cooperation.
The post said he also met with Sen. Roger Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Taiwan appreciates the bipartisan support of the U.S. Congress in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” he wrote.
China considers Taiwan a rebel province, but oppose any official exchange between the island government and the United States. The United States is a major foreign arms supplier to Taiwan’s defense and has naval and air bases on Guam.
In Beijing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian referred to the government’s previous statements on official U.S. exchanges with Taiwan, saying, “The Taiwan issue is at the heart of China’s core interests and should not be transcended in Sino-U.S. relations.” This is the first line that must not be crossed.” ”
Rai arrived in Guam on Wednesday night. stop by hawaiiMarshall Islands, Tuvalu. From Guam, we headed to Palau, the final destination of our trip. He met with the Governor of Guam and addressed Congress, emphasizing Taiwan and Guam’s shared values and strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Together, let us be an important force in defending freedom and democracy in the first island chain,” he said, referring to a chain of islands off the coast of Asia that includes Japan, Taiwan and parts of the Philippines.
His comments contrasted with China’s authoritarian one-party government, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and insists the autonomous island should come under its control at some point in the future.
Mr. Lai’s meetings with both Republican and Democratic leaders appear aimed at underscoring bipartisan support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress.
While in Hawaii, he also met with former US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 sparked an angry response from China, including holding large-scale military exercises around the island and ending talks with the United States on several areas, including defense.
Taiwanese media reported that Mr. Lai had telephone calls with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Jeffries, and a video call with Mr. Wicker.
China’s Foreign Ministry also announced sanctions on Thursday against 13 U.S. companies and six executives. Recently Announced Weapons Sales To Taiwan. Executives include the president and vice president of Raytheon’s Naval Power Strategic Business Unit. The sanctions also include a ban on entry to China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
“The United States’ attempt to support Taiwan’s independence by providing arms to Taiwan does not waver our firm resolve to oppose Taiwan’s independence and achieve national reunification, and does not threaten to push Taiwan into the danger of military conflict,” Lin said. It just forces us into a situation.”
The Guam Assembly resolution welcomed Lai and expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s “significant contributions to Guam’s economy and community,” said Speaker Therese Terlage.
Lai called for deeper cooperation with Guam, highlighting aquaculture, hydroponic agriculture, construction projects, and alternative energy as potential areas for partnership.
The three Pacific island countries he visited were the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau. 12 governments that recognized Taiwan Diplomatically. Other countries, including the United States, have formal relations with the Chinese government in Beijing.
