Taiwan’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs confirmed the go to and mentioned the journey was organized by the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy in Taipei. It didn’t disclose the names of the lawmakers concerned within the go to, nor their itinerary.
Chinese language Overseas Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin informed reporters Tuesday the journey “critically violated the one-China precept” and demanded the US “instantly cease any type of official interplay with Taiwan.”
“We urge the US congressmen to acknowledge the state of affairs. Collaborating with the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces is a harmful recreation; taking part in with ‘Taiwan independence’ will ultimately result in hearth,” Wang mentioned.
In an announcement, China’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection condemned the US for “grossly interfering in China’s inside affairs” and mentioned it ought to cease “provocative actions” which will escalate tensions on the Taiwan Strait.
“(The US) ought to chorus from sending mistaken indicators to ‘Taiwan independence’ forces,” the assertion learn. “The Folks’s Liberation Military will at all times be on excessive alert and undertake all mandatory measures to resolutely smash any interference by overseas forces and separatist makes an attempt.”
Beijing views the self-ruled island as an inseparable a part of its territory — although the 2 sides have been ruled individually for greater than seven many years.
The US delegation go to to Taiwan comes as China carried out what it characterised as a “fight readiness patrol” close to the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday.
The drills have been carried out to “additional enhance the joint fight functionality of a number of army providers and branches,” mentioned Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA Jap Theater Command, in accordance with the state-run tabloid the International Instances.
“This drill is focused at a sure nation’s critically mistaken strikes and remarks on the Taiwan query and Taiwan secessionists’ actions, and is a mandatory measure to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty,” mentioned Shi.
In a press launch on Tuesday night time, Taiwan’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection reported that six Chinese language warplanes entered its southwestern ADIZ that day.
When requested concerning the journey, US State Division spokesperson Ned Value informed reporters, “It isn’t our observe to substantiate congressional delegations or to talk to them.”
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby informed reporters on Tuesday the go to was made by a US congressional delegation and that it was “not unusual” for them to journey on a army plane.
“Congressional delegation visits to Taiwan are pretty routine,” Kirby mentioned, including the journey was “in step with our obligations beneath the Taiwan Relations Act, which has been supported by a number of administrations, each Democratic and Republican, that reinforces our requirement to assist Taiwan with its self-defense wants.”
The US additionally maintains army ties with the island. On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection mentioned a complete of 618 US personnel visited Taiwan on army trade applications between September 2019 and August 2021.
In its protection report, launched as soon as each two years, the ministry mentioned the trade applications have been aimed toward boosting Taiwan’s nationwide safety, protection technique and army operations, saying it was important to deepen army cooperation with the US.
In response to the report, 542 Taiwanese personnel additionally visited the US in 175 army trade applications throughout the identical interval.
CNN’s Hannah Ritchie and CNN’s Beijing Bureau contributed reporting.