A delegation of U.S. Federal Congress members, led by Representative Debbie Lesko, visited Taiwan to participate in the National Day celebrations. Today, they met with the Secretary-General of the National Security Council of the Republic of China (Taiwan), David Tawei Wu. The visiting delegation stated that they will continue to voice their support for Taiwan to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and actively assist in expanding bilateral economic and trade relations.
The National Security Council of the Republic of China issued a press release today, stating that the congressional delegation led by U.S. Representative Debbie Lesko, along with other members including Representatives Andy Biggs, Carol Miller, and congressional staff, visited the Presidential Office in the morning to meet with the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Wu Tzao-she. Wu expressed sincere gratitude for the support shown by the congress members through their visit to Taiwan.
Wu mentioned that the U.S. has demonstrated bipartisan support for Taiwan through visits, passage of pro-Taiwan bills, and joint statements with allies like the G7, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This support not only enhances global recognition of Taiwan’s strategic importance but also strengthens the Republic of China’s significance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party’s longstanding tactics such as cognitive warfare, legal warfare, and activities in the gray zone pose threats to the Republic of China. Their distortion of UN Resolution 2758 restricts Taiwan’s international space and jeopardizes cross-strait peace and stability. He expressed hope for continued U.S. support in advocating for Taiwan.
Regarding future bilateral issues between Taiwan and the U.S., including the avoidance of double taxation agreement, enhancing societal defense resilience, and deepening economic and trade relations, Wu called for sustained American support. As a crucial partner in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan is committed to upholding regional peace and stability.
The visiting delegation expressed their honor in visiting Taiwan and their longstanding concern for the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait situation. They highlighted the continuous Chinese Communist Party’s aggression towards Taiwan and emphasized the need for collective action with like-minded partners and allies to counter such provocations.
The delegation remarked that U.S. support for Taiwan has become a bipartisan consensus in Congress, acknowledging Taiwan’s critical role in regional and global peace and stability. They pledged to continue advocating for Taiwan to enhance its self-defense capabilities and actively contribute to expanding bilateral economic and trade relations post their return to the U.S.
In light of the ongoing provocations by the Chinese Communist Party in the Taiwan Strait and their restriction of Taiwan’s international participation, the visit of the congressional delegation during the National Day holds significant importance. Apart from participating in this year’s National Day celebrations, they will also meet Vice President Lai Ching-te and attend a banquet hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu to discuss Taiwan-U.S. relations, the Taiwan Strait and regional security situations, as well as economic and energy policies.
It is worth mentioning that Representative Debbie Lesko previously visited Taiwan with the Southwest State Legislators’ Delegation in 2016, while other members are visiting Taiwan for the first time. All three representatives have shown longstanding interest in the Indo-Pacific situation and Taiwan Strait security and have demonstrated their support for Taiwan through various means such as supporting bills and signing joint letters, affirming Taiwan’s democracy and conveying support for the Taiwanese people.
In response to the continuous provocations and disturbances by the Chinese Communist Party threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through gray-zone tactics and frequent limitations on Taiwan’s international participation, the visit of Representative Lesko and other congress members during the National Day serves as a concrete demonstration of the U.S. Congress’s support for the Taiwanese people. The Republic of China will continue to cooperate with friends across the U.S. in promoting a close partnership based on shared values and interests, further advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity.