Relations between Beijing and Washington have soured since the US accused China of sending a spy balloon into its airspace
Taiwan’s defence minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said he was uncertain on the report of the visit and couldn’t comment until he had been formally notified. But he said that anyone friendly to Taiwan who could give “favourable advice” on defence operations was welcome.
China claims Taiwan as a province – a stance that Taiwan’s government and people resoundingly reject. China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has pledged to annex Taiwan, by force if necessary, for what he terms “reunification”. Visits by US officials to Taiwan frequently draw condemnation from China, which strongly objects to any foreign actions which signal support for Taiwan. After Pelosi visited, China’s military staged days of live fire military drills around Taiwan’s main island.
“We must be willing to accept the tension that comes with supporting Taiwan amidst China’s threats and aggression, and we must match words with actions,” a letter signed by members including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee head Jim Risch,The US, while not having formally committed to defending Taiwan if that should eventuate, is bound by legislation to provide the island’s government with the means to defend itself.
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