Indiana Governor Meets Taiwanese President Following High-Profile US Visits

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (R) exchanges gifts with U.S. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb (L) during a meeting at the Presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, on Aug 22, 2022. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Indiana’s Republican governor met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen Monday morning, following two recent high-profile visits by U.S. politicians that drew the Chinese regime’s ire and Chinese military drills that included firing missiles over the island.

Gov. Eric Holcomb arrived Sunday evening in Taiwan for a four-day visit that will focus on economic exchange, particularly semiconductors, according to a statement from his office.

His visit is coming at a tense moment for Taiwan, China, and the United States after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited Taiwan earlier this month. The Chinese regime claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and views exchanges with foreign governments as an infringement on its claims.

Tsai acknowledged the tensions in her opening remarks ahead of their meeting Monday morning and welcomed further exchanges.

“In the midst of this, Taiwan has been confronted by military threats from China, in and around the Taiwan Strait. At this moment, democratic allies must stand together and boost cooperation in all areas,” Tsai said.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen gestures during a meeting with U.S. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb at the Presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan on Aug 22, 2022. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP

Separately, Japanese lawmakers Keiji Furuya and Minoru Kihara arrived in Taiwan on Monday and are to meet Tsai on Tuesday. Furuya said they also plan to visit the tomb of late Taiwanese leader Lee Teng-hui.

“China’s military provocations and other actions defying what’s acceptable have caused risks to the peace and safety of not only Taiwan but also to all of East Asia,” Furuya said on Twitter Monday.

In response to Pelosi’s visit, China’s military held several days of exercises that included warplanes flying toward the island and warships sailing across the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial buffer between the island and mainland.

The Chinese regime also imposed visa bans and other sanctions on several Taiwanese political figures, though it’s unclear what effect the sanctions would have.

Holcomb emphasized the economic nature of his visit, mentioning that the state is among the top in the U.S. for direct foreign investment and was home to ten Taiwanese companies. “We both seek to deepen and enhance our already excellent cooperation that we’ve established over the years,” he said.

U.S. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb speaks during a meeting with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, unseen, at the Presidential office in Taipei, Taiwan, on Aug 22, 2022. Taiwan Presidential Office via AP

Holcomb will also meet representatives of the semiconductor industry, and is expected to promote academic and tech cooperation between Taiwan and the state of Indiana. The delegation is meeting with National Yang-Ming University and National Cheng Kung University as part of the exchange.

He is traveling with officials from the state’s economic development council, as well as the dean of engineering at Purdue University, an institution which has just established a semiconductors degree program. He will visit South Korea next.

By Hui Zhongwu