Senator Ed Markey and a bipartisan, bicameral U.S. congressional delegation touched down Aug. 14 in Taiwan on a two-day visit to discuss bilateral security, economic and trade developments, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the MOFA, the group gathers members from important committees on armed services, ways and means and foreign relations. It comprises Rep. John Garamendi, Rep. Alan Lowenthal, Rep. Don Beyer and Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.
Highlights of the delegation’s itinerary include an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen, a banquet hosted by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu and a visit to the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee. The visit demonstrates the staunch U.S. support of Taiwan which shows no fear of China’s threats and intimidation as it escalates regional tensions.
The MOFA said Markey is a staunch supporter of Taiwan. This is evidenced by his voting for the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and his participation in the Senate Taiwan Caucus following his election as a Senator in 2013, the ministry added.
Markey has actively promoted legislation backing the country as the chairman of the subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy under the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, the MOFA said. Such legislation has included the Taiwan Actions Supporting Security by Undertaking Regular Engagements Act; the Taiwan Partnership Act enhancing cooperation between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwan’s defense forces; and the Taiwan Fellowship Act allowing U.S. officials to study Mandarin in Taiwan.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Vice Minister Yui extended the warmest of welcomes to #Taiwan’s longstanding friend @SenMarkey & his cross-party delegation comprising @RepGaramendi, @RepLowenthal, @RepDonBeyer & @RepAmata. We thank the like-minded #US lawmakers for the timely visit & unwavering support.” (YCH-E)
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