US Congressional delegation meets President Tsai, vows to support Taiwan

President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday received a U.S. Congressional delegation at the Presidential Office. Led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, the bipartisan group is composed of six members from both chambers of the U.S. Congress. During the meeting with Tsai, Graham said Washington would make China pay a greater price for what it''s doing all over the world. Meanwhile, Robert Menendez, a Democratic senator in the delegation, revealed that the delegation had been under considerable Chinese pressure to cancel their trip.

Warm greetings and COVID-friendly elbow bumps. President Tsai Ing-wen met the American Congressional delegation in her first public engagement since being released from isolation on Friday morning.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
The members of this delegation represent the Senate and House of Representatives and hail from both political parties. This demonstrates that Taiwan enjoys strong bipartisan support throughout the U.S. Congress. You’re all good friends of Taiwan, thank you for your enduring support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress. April 10th marked the 43rd anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which makes your visit all the more meaningful.

Lindsey Graham
US senator
America has been politically divided, but I want you to know when it comes to Taiwan, we’re united. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Communist Chinese provocative behavior has united America unlike any time I’ve seen in recent memory. We’re here to show support for what we love.

This congressional delegation is bipartisan, with representatives from both houses of Congress. It includes several political heavyweights. Delegation leader Lindsey Graham sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and is influential within his party. He was also a co-sponsor of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 and helped Taiwan secure a purchase of F-16 fighter jets from Washington. Democrat Robert Menendez is chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus. He has also co-signed various Taiwan-friendly bills, such as the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act and the TAIPEI Act. The other four in the delegation, Robert Portman, Richard Burr, Ben Sasse and Ronny Jackson, have also voiced support for Taiwan in the past. Their visit to the Indo-Pacific region, and to Taiwan in particular, aims to show the U.S.’ support for Taiwan, especially amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has proven that democracies must bolster their alliances, and that collectively we can defend ourselves from the threat of authoritarian nations that seek do disrupt regional peace.

Lindsey Graham
US senator
The people of Taiwan have donated almost US$40 million worth of assistance to the people of Ukraine. The Communist Chinese party, President Xi have aided and abetted the war criminal Putin. We’re going to start making China pay a greater price for what they are doing all over the world.

Delegation members said they had faced opposition from China over the Taiwan trip.

Robert Menendez
US senator
The Chinese government issued to our offices and in a public communique that they are very unhappy that we are here. But that did not dissuade use from coming and it won’t dissuade us in the future in supporting Taiwan.

China’s opposition to the visit did not deter the politicians, but in fact steeled their determination toward supporting Taiwan. The delegation’s Taiwan itinerary was less than a day, but they didn’t leave without a taste of local cuisine. After their arrival on Thursday night, the representatives were treated to popular brands of guabao and sweet tangyuan, thanks to arrangements by the Presidential Office.

[dellkickass]

WE are Vietnam Support for Taiwan. We wish US and all small Asia countries should support Taiwan if China invade Taiwan.

[DUFFLEBAG]

Thank you President Tsai! Thank you senator!! Long live democracy 💙

[curtistellvik]

The majority of the American population stand behind Taiwan. The US should do all that it can to protect the principles and values of Taiwan's democracy, like-minded countries will follow suit if the US shows the importance of Taiwan and its value to the international rules-based order. Taiwan has much to contribute and should be accepted and recognized as such. Keep up the good fight

[bingsterc]

I SERIOUSLY and HONESTLY hope that President Tsai and the Taiwanese Government, takes the words of the US Government with A GRAIN OF SALT, as well as be very cautious with US's support and not rely so much on their support...because, for one the US Government HAVE ALWAYS SCREWED OVER Taiwan so many times in the past. Also, most importantly...ACTION ALWAYS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. In other words, TALK IS ALWAYS CHEAP.

[Rod-bpow]

Its warmth and honest greetings and truth that the Republican senator expressed their thoughts regarding being divided in its perception as well as in U.S, divided in so many ways as the differences, leadership style, yet truth in its commitment in providing LIGHT to Taiwan, while Taiwan expresses the same gratitude in its commitment, in emulating truth in Independence and Freedom and discipline for its people, the way China does, in being patient, not adding fire to any situation, providing humanitarian relief for the needy in parts of Ukraine. Taiwan and China knows each other, they both emulate LIGHT to one another of not adding fire to anyone, since it knows the language, the abilities, the patience and the discipline, as both are Republic, where Republic standards are, it is discipline, patience, orderly, character identification, and most of all calligraphy and arts for they are the roots of identification as Taiwanese and Chinese, that knows as well their respective native languages that it preserves. It is understandable to the Republican committee of what their purpose of visit, to be firm, emulate the same principles of emancipation proclamation, where it is genuine, honest amongst Republican members, where China and Taiwan acknowledges as well. To be bearers of everlasting LIGHT amongst one another, for LIGHT enlightens all differences, and it creates certainties, where countries can also LEARN, IMPART, and APPLY, IMPLEMENT. A time for every purpose.

[dpb]

Fat cats getting together in hopes of sharing the spoils.

[coffeeman]

Look at US deligates way of sitting. The body language exudes contempt and arrogance.

[meanscene]

You must not know who lindsay graham is.

[coffeeman]

Classic example of Amarican condescending attitude.

[kt]

Wow, such importance towards Taiwan? Did not even stay for dinner. Hahaha No respect for culture as all. That’s what you call commitment. Hahaha

[dilligafwoftam]

Ha Ha ... America will 'support' Taiwan. I Support my local football team, that means I stand on the sidelines and encoursge them. America is 'supporting' Ukraine. Don't trust America, it's NEVER done anything for another country that didn't benefit America more. Good luck.

[Was_If_Hasan]

چین عمران خان کی مدد کو کیوں نہیں آرہا۔؟

[jackytang]

you should have official relations with Taiwan first if you are really caring of values

[kt]

Notice how Bob Menendez sits? No respect at all. His posture is posture of arrogance and unimportance towards Taiwan. Body language don’t lie, contrary to their words.

[luna]

Is it just me seeing this pattern … everywhere America goes they leave a trail of war .. from Iraq Libia Syria, Afghanistan.. Ukraine and now Taiwan ???

[paul]

US : Thank you the 水鱼 clearing the old gen F16
水鱼: No worries mate, just remember my share of pie. You know where to chuck it.
US : You might need to double-check the F16 engine malfunctional
水鱼: No worries mate, my pawns are ready to be sacrifice for my ideology. War is peace!
US : Kudos 水鱼! Make sure you and your journalists are NOT at the front line when it happens. We still need you to control MSMs. Cheers~
水鱼 : You are such a gentlemen. xoxohugxoxo