United States: US Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is currently in Taiwan, has pledged her support for Taiwan to "move forward as an independent nation", a statement that will undoubtedly anger Beijing, which has Claims control of the ruled island. Blackburn referred to Taiwan as a "country" when he met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday and stressed the importance of helping the island "retain its independence". "I'm looking forward to a wonderful trip. And yes, I look forward to my visit to your country in 2008 and a chance to see parts of it up close," said the ardent critic of Beijing.
In addition, Blackburn stressed the importance of supporting Taiwan's efforts to "preserve their independence and their independence".
The Tennessee Republican used language that went beyond America's long-standing one-China policy, which treats the issue of Taiwan's sovereignty as unresolved, and said, "We look forward to continuing to help and support Taiwan." look forward to as they move forward to a free nation." Per its one-China doctrine, Beijing sees the island as a broken area that needs reconnection, and has not ruled out using force to reunite it. Despite being one of Taiwan's strongest supporters, the US does not recognize the island as an independent state, unlike the majority of other countries. However, it rejects any attempt to forcibly seize the island.
Tsai thanked Blackburn for visiting and "proactive displays of strong support", at a time when tensions in the Taiwan Strait were at an all-time high. Since the unannounced and divisive visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month, Beijing has been conducting extensive military exercises across the island, increasing both their scope and intensity. “In recent years, a wide range of public figures from American society have traveled to Taiwan. These heartfelt gestures of goodwill and resolute displays of support have reinforced Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself,” she told Blackburn, Referring to the flurry of visits by American politicians, including Pelosi, in recent weeks.
Tsai claimed that recent events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Beijing's ongoing military drills near Taiwan, showed how authoritarian nations were weakening and jeopardizing the international order. In order to jointly lay a strong line to defend our values, freedom and democracy, democracies must further unite and cooperate, he added.
For an astonishing three-day visit, Blackburn and his assistants arrived in Taipei around midnight on Thursday. She is leading the fourth delegation of US politicians to visit Taiwan this month, following a delegation led by Senator Ed Markey and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. Since the beginning of this year, Beijing has opposed every visit by US lawmakers. It was particularly angered by Pelosi's visit as she defied repeated requests from Chinese officials to stay away from Taipei and became the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years.
Beijing condemned the visit as "provocation" and a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. To increase pressure on Taipei, it launched more than a week-long live-fire military drills around Taiwan, launched ballistic missiles across the island, and sent warplanes and warships across the midline in the Taiwan Strait. .
Pelosi's visit, which both the speaker and Tsai claimed was an excuse for Beijing to punish Taiwan with military exercises, was supported by Blackburn, a senator who sits on the Senate's Committee on Armed Services. Is. As soon as Blackburn touched down in Taiwan, he tweeted, "I have landed in Taiwan to send a message to Beijing - we will not be bullied. The United States stands firm in upholding freedoms around the world and will not cooperate with attempts to destabilize our country and our allies.
According to Taiwan's foreign ministry, Blackburn will hold meetings with additional top government officials during his visit, which ends on Saturday. His visit is part of a larger trip to the Indo-Pacific, where Washington and Beijing are competing for greater sway. Blackburn traveled to Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea before reaching Taipei. Blackburn's visit has yet to elicit a response from Beijing, which will conduct a two-day live-fire exercise starting Friday off the coast of Fujian province near the Taiwan-controlled Matsu archipelago.
Taiwan's foreign minister, Joseph Wu, claimed that Beijing's war games around Taiwan earlier this month threatened not only Taiwanese but also global interests as seven exercises covering vital air and sea routes The areas were closed to international shipping and flights. Time. Additionally, he discussed the upcoming military action during Pelosi's visit. city Don't stop US and international lawmakers from traveling to the island.
"It won't work," he said, "though China is trying to pressure us internationally, trying ... to stop our friends from coming." Because of the mutual pressure China has exerted against Taiwan, more people than ever want to show their support.
Wu argued that increased bilateral engagement did not change the cross-strait status quo because Taiwan and the US were changing the situation to a more high-profile Taiwan without taking steps toward formal independence in response to Beijing's charge of mainland China. existed as a separate entity. -level engagements that Washington had previously avoided. However, he continued, "China recently violated the status quo by sending layoffs across the midline and declaring the Taiwan Strait as its internal waters.
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