House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said Tuesday that he will lead a U.S. delegation to Taiwan at the end of the month, undeterred by China’s efforts to isolate and intimidate the island nation under new leadership.
Mr. McCaul, Texas Republican, gathered with several congressional representatives for a celebration hosted by Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, in Washington.
The gathering cheered this week’s inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te who is also known as William Lai, and the U.S. lawmakers pledged to assist the island in its defense against Chinese Communist Party aggression.
“We don’t have a NATO in the Pacific but we do have a lot of friends and allies and partners and I would say Taiwan is our dearest friend and partner and ally,” Mr. McCaul told the gathering. “I’m really excited about going to celebrate the results of this election with your colleagues, sir, and [to] go back to that beautiful island that I hope one day will not be under the threat of a dragon in its backyard.”
Mr. Yui told reporters that Mr. McCaul and other lawmakers visiting Taiwan would send a powerful message to the People’s Republic of China and other nations that “we’re not alone.”
He said the presence of congressional delegations and other world leaders in Taiwan was as important as demonstrations of military power.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.