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Despite China’s threats, Taiwan’s president attacked the House speaker
Diplomatic representatives from the United States and Taiwan met on American soil on Wednesday, despite strong Chinese threats earlier. Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy spoke with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on behalf of the United States. The meeting took place in California. Taiwan’s leader arrived in New York last week. He also visited Belize and Guatemala, after which he went to California.
read more: A visit by Taiwan’s former president is high on Beijing’s agenda
McCarthy and Tsai visited the Ronald Reagan Library in California, according to various news outlets. McCarthy called Taiwan “a wonderful ally of the United States” and said it was “stronger than ever.” “I am confident that we will continue to find ways to promote economic freedom, democracy, peace and stability together,” he said. Sai thanked him for his hospitality and kind words.
According to Reuters news agency, it is the first time since 1979 that a Taiwanese leader has met such a high-ranking US official in the United States. For China, the meeting is a geopolitical provocation. Earlier, Beijing threatened countermeasures if Taiwan and the US met on US soil. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen sees the US as an ally in defending the island.
China does not recognize Taiwan’s sovereignty and believes Taiwan is a renegade province that should be annexed by Beijing. In August last year, then-Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. The meeting drew strong criticism in China. In response to the US visit, China organized a massive military blockade of the island with dozens of warplanes and warships.
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