US Congressional Delegation visits Taiwan

A US Congressional delegation led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey has arrived in Taiwan for a two-day visit that will include meetings with high-level officials. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Upon his arrival in Taiwan, Vice Foreign Minister Alexander Tah-ray Yui welcomed Markey, who was accompanied by representatives John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal, Don Beyer and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, according to the MOFA statement.

The ministry welcomed the bipartisan, bicameral delegation’s visit, noting that the visit demonstrates “the friendship and strong support of the United States amid the recent escalation of regional tensions by China.”

MOFA stated that Markey is a staunch friend of Taiwan. This is evidenced by his vote in favor of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 as a member of the US House of Representatives and his participation in the Senate Taiwan Caucus after his election as a senator in 2013, the ministry added.

Markey has actively promoted legislation supporting the Asian island nation as chairman of the subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, subordinate to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, MOFA said.

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Such legislation has included the Taiwan Security Support Actions Act by making regular commitments; the Taiwan Partnership Act that enhances cooperation between the US National Guard and Taiwan’s defense forces; and the Taiwan Scholarship Law that allows US officials to study Mandarin on the self-ruled island.

During their stay, the visiting lawmakers will be received in audience by President Tsai Ing-wen, attend a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, and visit the Legislative Yuan Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee, in order to hold talks on economic and security relations between Taiwan and the United States, MOFA said.