House Speaker Mike Johnson met with the envoy of Taiwan in the U.S. Capitol today, amid increased harassment of the island by communist China.
Mr. Johnson vowed to continue supporting the Taiwanese people as they respond to military provocations from the mainland.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Taiwanese people,” Mr. Johnson told reporters.
“We certainly want to help in the defense of Taiwan, which is very important. We want to deter the Chinese Communist Party and any military provocations. The U.S. stands with our friends.”
Mr. Johnson’s meeting with Envoy Alexander Yui, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States, is likely to rankle CCP authorities in Beijing, who claim that Taiwan is part of China.
For his part, Mr. Yui said he was looking forward to “further strengthen[ing] our rock-solid friendship.”
Communist China Launches Rocket Over Taiwan
The CCP has embarked upon a campaign of intimidation and harassment against Taiwan as the democratic island prepares to vote for a new president on Saturday.Throughout the week, China has launched several balloons and one rocket over Taiwan, which experts believe is part of an attempt to influence the outcome of Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election later this week.
Taiwan’s government issued an air raid alert on Tuesday after China launched a rocket carrying a satellite over Taiwan’s airspace. Its foreign minister described the episode as part of a larger pattern of harassment intended to sway voters ahead of the election.
White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said the Biden administration remained committed to supporting free and fair elections in Taiwan.
“It sure does raise interesting questions about what their intentions are; what their goals are,” Mr. Kirby said during a Jan. 9 press conference.
“We want to see a free and fair and transparent election, and we’re willing to stand by and work with whoever the people of Taiwan elect to their government.”
The Chinese Communist Party claims that Taiwan is a rogue province that must be united with the mainland by any means necessary. The regime has never actually controlled any part of the island, however.
For its part, Taiwan is self-governed by a democratic government and oversees one of the world’s most successful market economies. Out of respect for China’s position, the United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The United States and Taiwan do share robust informal ties, however, including economically and militarily.
It is unclear at this time what the response will be from Beijing concerning Mr. Johnson’s meeting with Mr. Yui.
When Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August of 2022, the CCP launched several missiles around the island and cut off all military communications with the United States.
