Sen. Blackburn calls Taiwan a ‘country’ during meeting with Tsai
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday in Taipei, the latest U.S. lawmaker to visit the island at a time of tense relations with China.
Blackburn’s trip is the third by U.S. lawmakers this month. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip in early August plunged cross-strait relations to recent lows and prompted Beijing to launch large-scale military exercises in the waters around Taiwan.
Taiwan has been self-ruled for decades and is one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies. However, Beijing claims the island as part of its territory and responds furiously whenever foreign officials or companies appear to treat Taiwan as a country. The United States and most other governments do not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, to maintain official relations with China.
In her visit on Friday, Blackburn called Taiwan a “country” in passing, while saying it was important to support Taiwan in “preserving its freedom.”
Soon after arriving late Thursday evening local time, Blackburn wrote on Twitter that she hoped to ensure that Taiwan could combat China and the “New Axis of Evil.”
Agencies