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PoliticsTaiwan

US: McCarthy greets Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen in California

April 5, 2023

The Taiwanese leader's visit is officially a stopover following a tour of Latin America. China said the visit "seriously violates the One-China principle," its insistence that none of its trade partners recognize Taiwan.

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Kevin McCarthy stands next to Tsai Ing-wen. Behind them are bodyguards and cars
US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R) speaks with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in CaliforniaImage: Frederic J. Brown/AFP

Republican speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy welcomed President Tsai Ing-wen at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, near Los Angeles, on Wednesday.

The Taiwanese leader's visit is officially a stopover following a tour of Latin America.

What did Tsai and McCarthy say about the visit?

At the start of the meeting with Tsai, McCarthy called the Taiwanese president "a great friend to America."

"I am optimistic we will continue to find ways for the people of America and Taiwan to work together to promote economic freedom, democracy, peace and stability."

"I believe our bond is stronger now than at any time or point in my lifetime. And of course, President Tsai is a great champion of that bond," McCarthy said.

The lawmaker called the "friendship" between the US and Taiwan "a matter of profound importance to the free world."

Tsai called McCarthy's hospitality warm like Californian sunshine.

"Their presence and unwavering support reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated, and we are not alone," Tsai said.

He also thanked the rest of the congressional delegation, which included both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

China condemns Tsai's visit

China's foreign ministry on Thursday condemned the meeting between McCarthy and Tsai, state media Xinhua reported. 

"In response to the seriously erroneous acts of collusion between the United States and Taiwan, China will take resolute and effective measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," China's foreign ministry said in a statement.

McCarthy is the most senior US figure to have met a Taiwanese president on US soil since 1979, when the US switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

China claims Taiwan to be part of its own territory.

Pro-Taipei demonstrators gather in front of motorcade brining Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to Los Angeles hotel
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's motorcade arrived to both protests and cheers late on TuesdayImage: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP/picture alliance

Prior to Tsai's trip, Beijing said it "seriously violates the One-China principle," under which China insists that its trade partners do not also recognize Taiwan.

The US has abided by this request, but simultaneously preserved its status as probably Taiwan's most important international backer without maintaining diplomatic ties.

Tsai's arrival in California late on Tuesday was accompanied by demonstrations by both pro-Beijing and pro-Taipei protesters. 

A visit last year to Taiwan by senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi prompted several days of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait and critical rhetoric from China. 

sdi/msh (AFP, AP, Reuters)