US Delegation Makes Unannounced Visit to Taiwan – Opinion

Less than two weeks after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, one which appeared to ruffle Chinese feathers, a delegation of five U.S. lawmakers has arrived in the island nation, making an unannounced visit.

U.S. led the delegation. The delegation, led by U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D–MA), also includes several House Members: Rep. John Garamendi(D-CA), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (“D-CA”), Rep. Don Beyer (“D-VA”) and Rep. Aumua Amata [R-S.Am.).

The following is from the AP

According to the American Institute of Taiwan, the five-member delegation will be led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts. They will discuss U.S.-Taiwan relationships, regional security and trade. Although the U.S. has no official relations with Taiwan, this institute represents it.

China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, responded to Pelosi’s Aug. 2 visit by sending missiles, warships and warplanes into the seas and skies around Taiwan for several days afterward. Pelosi, a top-ranking member of Congress, is opposed to Taiwan being in official contact with any foreign government.

Given that this was an unannounced visit, either the White House wasn’t apprised of it ahead of time or elected to keep mum this time. Whether and to what extent China will react to this visit on the heels of Pelosi’s remains to be seen.

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