US Senators Visit Taiwan, Drawing China Criticism

Taipei, Aug 29 (AP) - The recent visit of two US senators to Taiwan has sparked criticism from China, which claims the island and opposes any official contact between the two parties.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, and Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer touched down in Taipei on Friday, engaging in important meetings with senior Taiwanese officials. These discussions focused on US-Taiwan relations, regional security, and areas of trade and investment. This engagement was facilitated by the American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as Washington's de facto embassy in the absence of official diplomatic ties with the autonomous island democracy.

Upon their arrival, Wicker remarked, “A thriving democracy is never fully assured… and we're here to talk to our friends and allies in Taiwan about what we're doing to enhance worldwide peace.” Fischer added, “At a time of global unrest, it is extremely significant for us to be here,” emphasizing that security, opportunities, and progress for the region would be key topics of their discussions.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned the visit, stating that it “undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sends a gravely wrong signal to the separatist Taiwan independence forces.” The senators' two-day visit to Taiwan is part of a broader tour that included stops in Hawaii, Guam, Tinian, Pala, and the Philippines.

The United States plays a crucial role as Taiwan's largest arms supplier, furnishing the island with state-of-the-art tanks, air defense missiles, and enhanced F-16 jets to bolster its defense against Beijing's threat of invasion.

China views US arms sales to Taiwan as a breach of previous commitments made by former US administrations. (AP)

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