President Lai Ching-te received a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation at the Presidential Office May 27 in Taipei City, pledging to continue deepening cooperation with the U.S. and other like-minded partners to maintain regional peace, stability and prosperity.
On behalf of House Speaker Mike Johnson, Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led the group comprising Reps. Jimmy Panetta, Young Kim, Chrissy Houlahan, Joe Wilson and Andy Barr. The members have all held hearings or supported resolutions backing Taiwan, according to the PO.
During his welcoming remarks, Lai said the group is the first from the U.S. House of Representatives to come to Taiwan since he took office May 20, adding that the visit demonstrates the legislative body’s firm support for the new administration and the people of Taiwan. The trip is especially significant in light of the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act this year, he added.
The president promised that his administration would uphold the Four Commitments and implement the Four Pillars of Peace action plan to preserve the Taiwan Strait status quo. He expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would continue to assist Taiwan with strengthening its self-defense capabilities through legislative action and that both sides would fast-track negotiations on a double-taxation avoidance pact.
In response, McCaul congratulated Lai on his election, which he said was evidence of Taiwan’s thriving democracy. He praised Taiwan for being an engine of innovation for democracies, adding that the Chips Act and other similar initiatives are expanding the already strong economic ties between the two sides.
The chair went on to add that Congress is committed to resolving the taxation issue to promote more bilateral investment. He concluded with the hope that the U.S. and Taiwan would step up cooperation on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to enhance prosperity and solve many societal issues. (SFC-E)
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