US Delegation Meeting Taiwan President... China Protests to the US

"Secret Visit Violates 'One China'"
First Visit Since Lai Qingde's Inauguration

Michael McCaul, a hardliner on China and chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee (Republican), visited Lai Ching-te, the new president of Taiwan, prompting China to protest on the 27th, calling it a "violation of the 'One China' principle."

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing that day, "Despite China's strong opposition, U.S. lawmakers stubbornly made a clandestine visit to Taiwan, violating the 'One China' principle, breaking the U.S. government's political commitment to maintain only unofficial relations with Taiwan, and sending seriously wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces."

He added, "China firmly opposes this and has already submitted a stern representation to the U.S. (a diplomatic protest). We will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Chairman McCaul led a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation that arrived in Taiwan the previous day and met with President Lai at the Taipei Presidential Office on the same day. Regarding the large-scale military exercises conducted by China on the 23rd and 24th, McCaul condemned, "We have never seen such blatant violence or acts of aggression since World War II," and emphasized, "All democratic countries must unite and fight." He also stressed, "We strongly support Taiwan and will continue to stand with Taiwan."

President Lai stated, "Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with the United States," citing former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's 'peace through strength' and pledging to strengthen national defense.