US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy greets Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as she arrives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for a meeting in Simi Valley, California on April 5, 2023 ( AFP / Frederic J. Brown )
“We are not isolated”: Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen on Wednesday welcomed the presence of a large US Congressional delegation during her trip to California, a testament to Washington’s “steadfast” support for Beijing.
The 66-year-old leader met Republican Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, despite repeated threats of retaliation from China.
The California official-elect asserted that the relationship between Taipei and Washington is “stronger” than it was “during his lifetime.”
– “Answer” –
Kevin McCarthy was surrounded by a large group of Congressmen, Republicans and Democrats at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley near Los Angeles.
“Your presence and unwavering support reassure the Taiwanese people: we are not isolated, we are not alone,” the Taiwanese president applauded.
This “transit” of Tsai Ing-wen through California after a tour of Latin America greatly irritates Beijing, which has promised “retaliation” and has multiplied angry statements in recent weeks.
A pro-Taiwanese holds up a picture of President Tsai Ing-wen outside his hotel in Los Angeles on April 4, 2023 (AFP/Frederic J. Brown)
China regards Taiwan as one of its provinces to be taken back and advocates “peaceful reunification” without excluding the use of force. In the name of the “One China” principle, no country should maintain official relations with Beijing and Taipei at the same time.
In a final warning on Monday, the Secretary of State recalled that China “strongly opposes” the interview between the third personage of the American state and the Taiwanese independence party leader.
Beijing also said it was ready “to resolutely defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” without explicitly mentioning possible military maneuvers.
The United States has long maintained “strategic ambiguity” on the Taiwan issue. Washington has recognized Beijing since 1979 but remains Taiwan’s strongest ally and main arms supplier.
– The previous Pelosi –
Support for the island is one of the few bipartisan consensus in the US Congress, and under Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure, Taiwan has drawn closer to the United States.
Taiwan supporters greet President Tsai Ing-wen outside her hotel in Los Angeles on April 4, 2023 (AFP/Frederic J. Brown)
Last August, the Taiwanese President received Democrat Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan, at the head of the House of Representatives before Mr. McCarthy.
That visit had angered Beijing, which had been conducting military exercises around the island on an unprecedented scale since the mid-1990s.
Kevin McCarthy wants to “still play the Taiwan card” against Beijing, the Chinese consulate in Los Angeles said in a statement on Monday. “He will no doubt make the same mistake again, which will further damage China-US relations.”
Like Ms. Pelosi, the Republican leader originally intended to visit Taiwan. Eventually he decided to take a less frontal approach and met Tsai Ing-wen in California.
The Biden administration has also downplayed the importance of the meeting, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken recalling on Wednesday that it was just a “transit” by the Taiwanese leader and not an official visit. He urged Beijing not to use the interview as an “excuse” to “stoke up tensions.”
– “China must react” –
A clash between Beijing and Taipei supporters outside Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s hotel in Los Angeles on April 4, 2023 (AFP/Frederic J. Brown)
Pro-Beijing and pro-Taiwan protesters faced each other Wednesday morning outside the library where the meeting is taking place. A light aircraft also flew over the area with a banner reading “One China! Taiwan is part of China!”
Tsai Ing-wen, whose term as president ends next year, is trying to show that Beijing has failed to diplomatically isolate Taiwan since taking power in 2016.
China has persuaded several countries to stop recognizing Taiwan in recent years. Honduras most recently announced its decision at the end of March.
Only 13 countries now recognize Taiwan, including Belize and Guatemala, which Ms. Tsai visited after a first stop in New York during her trip. Before the handover, the chair would like to strengthen the confidence of the Taiwanese in their formation, the Democratic Progressive Party.