More US Lawmakers Visit Taiwan 12 Days After Pelosi Trip

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Facts

  • A five-member delegation, led by Democratic Sen. Ed Markey, arrived in Taiwan on Sun., only 12 days after the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prompted China to begin military drills around the island.
  • The US lawmakers will meet Taiwanese Pres. Tsai Ing-wen and other officials from her government, as well as members of the private sector, reportedly to discuss reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait as well as investing in semiconductors.
  • The delegation will also reportedly discuss climate change and supply chains and will be in Taiwan until Mon. as part of a larger trip to the Indo-Pacific region, according to the American Institute in Taiwan.
  • In addition to Markey, the four other members of the delegation are Amata Catherine Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), as well as Democrat House members John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), and Don Beyer (D-Va.).
  • In response to the visit, China's embassy in Washington said that "members of the US Congress should act in consistence with the US government's one-China policy."
  • A White House spokesman said members of Congress have gone to Taiwan for decades and will continue to do so, stating that such visits were in accordance with the United States' long-standing one-China policy. China launched fresh military drills near Taiwan on Monday.

Sources: Associated Press, politico, Axios, USA Today, and CNBC.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by ABC. Public sentiment in many democracies is turning against China's authoritarian rule. This latest US delegation shows the widespread popularity of visiting Taiwan among the US electorate, especially as the elections approach in November. Delegations that show support for Taiwan's democracy make sense both geopolitically and in domestic US politics.
  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by Global Times. The visit to Taiwan is more provocation by the US as part of their attempt to confront mainland China. This again shows that Washington isn't interested in stability across the Taiwan Straits and is exacerbating tensions while interfering in Beijing's internal affairs. The US should honor its historical agreement to the One China policy.

Predictions