Republicans are voicing support for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s potential visit to Taiwan, following warnings from China’s communist regime that the speaker should not go.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, said earlier this week that the regime “opposes any form of official interaction” between Taiwan and nations that maintain diplomatic ties with China.
Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) said that Congress would not be bullied by the CCP and that it was vital the federal legislature work to strengthen ties with Taiwan.
“The United States will not take orders from the Chinese Communist Party nor should the CCP dictate the actions of any free and sovereign nation,” Steel said in an email to The Epoch Times.
“I will continue to advocate for policies that counter the CCP’s hostility against freedom loving nations across the world and strengthening U.S. relations with Taiwan is instrumental in that work.”
Similarly, Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisc.) said that McCarthy should stand his ground and that the United States did not require approval from the CCP to travel abroad.
“American lawmakers and officials don’t need a permission slip from Communist China to talk to our friends and allies,” Tiffany said in an email to the Epoch Times.
Defense of Taiwan a Bipartisan Priority
The CCP claims that Taiwan is a rogue province of China that must be united with the regime, a claim known as the One China Principle. Taiwan, however, has never been controlled by the CCP and boasts a thriving democracy and market economy.For its part, the United States has adopted a “One China Policy,” which acknowledges but does not endorse the CCP’s One China Principle.
Tiffany said that McCarthy’s trip would help to underscore the reality that Taiwan is in no way controlled by the CCP, a stance that he believes the United States should outline more openly and clearly.
“Taiwan is an independent and democratic nation, one that has never been part of the People’s Republic of China’s territory or under the control of its unelected rulers, even for a single day—and U.S. policy should reflect that undeniable fact,” Tiffany said.
Since then, many in Congress have sought to reinforce Washington’s trade and defense ties with Taiwan.
Likewise, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that the United States would need to redouble its efforts to provide Taiwan with the arms necessary to defend itself from CCP aggression.
“That’s what we need to do with the Taiwanese: Make sure they’re adequately armed. They can pay for it.”
McCarthy has not yet publicly addressed the reports that he is preparing a visit to Taiwan, but previously encouraged Pelosi to do so and said Taiwan deserved U.S. support.
“Taiwan warrants our support because it is a vibrant, thriving democracy. Its people want peace, freedom, and the right to determine their own future.”
McCarthy’s office did not return a request for comment.