A bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives arrived Sept. 7 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport for a three-day visit to the country, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Led by Stephanie Murphy, vice chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations under the House Armed Services Committee, the eight-member group includes Reps. Andy Barr, Claudia Tenney, Darrell Issa, Joe Wilson, Kai Kahele, Kat Cammack and Scott Franklin.
Key events on the delegation’s itinerary encompass an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen, a meeting with National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo and a banquet hosted by Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
According to the MOFA, Murphy attaches great importance to preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This is evidenced by her joint proposal of the Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act in July and an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 the same month, the latter of which urges the U.S. government to conduct national-level war games covering possible Taiwan invasion scenarios, the ministry added.
Other members of the group are also rock-solid supporters of Taiwan, the MOFA said, adding that they took part in House letters or resolutions aimed at deepening Taiwan-U.S. ties, boosting economic cooperation, strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities, donating COVID-19 vaccine doses to the country and backing its inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization.
A total of seven U.S. congressional delegations comprising 28 lawmakers visited Taiwan this year, the MOFA said. In the face of China’s irresponsible military provocations and the continued escalation of regional tensions, the group’s visit further demonstrates the U.S. government’s staunch support of Taiwan, the ministry added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Deputy Minister Tien welcomed #Taiwan’s steadfast friend @RepStephMurphy and her 7 colleagues from #US House of Representatives. We wish the bipartisan delegation a productive 3-day visit further enhancing our bilateral relations, regional security & economic cooperation.” (YCH-E)
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