China's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Taiwan's presidential inauguration and a standoff with the Philippines in the South China Sea, while a US House delegation met with newly elected Taiwanese officials.
China has vehemently denounced the inauguration of Lai Ching-te as Taiwan's president and a standoff with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, while a US congressional delegation visited Taiwan to show support for the self-governing island.
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, asserted Beijing's sovereignty over both Taiwan and the South China Sea, emphasizing that any visit by US lawmakers to Taiwan "seriously violates the one-China principle."
Despite China's warnings, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan, reaffirming the United States' commitment to the island's independence.
"This historic and bipartisan CODEL sends a signal to the Chinese Communist Party that the United States stands with the people of Taiwan," McCaul declared, adding that they aimed to strengthen bilateral relations on all fronts.
The delegation's visit follows President Lai Ching-te's inauguration, in which he emphasized Taiwan's independence from China. In response, China's Defense Ministry announced military drills involving "sea assaults, land strikes, air defense and anti-submarine" in the region.
The drills, described as "a strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces," have heightened tensions between China and Taiwan and raised concerns about a potential military conflict.
Despite the escalating tensions, President Lai has pledged to "neither yield nor provoke" Beijing but remain firm against China's encroachment. China, however, has warned against any external interference in its internal affairs.
In a separate incident, a standoff between China and the Philippines erupted in the South China Sea, where Chinese vessels blocked Philippine ships from conducting resupply missions. The Philippines protested the blockade, calling it a "clear threat" to its sovereignty.
Amidst these conflicts, the US House delegation's visit to Taiwan signals America's continued support for the island's self-governance and its defiance of China's attempts to assert control over the region.
