Tsai left the meeting at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, thanking McCarthy and the party leaders who had hosted him for the symbolic meeting that had ravaged Beijing and promised a “definitive” answer.
“Your presence and unwavering support reassure the Taiwanese people that we are not isolated and not alone,” Tsai said.
China said a short time later that it did not approve the meeting.
“In response to the grave misunderstanding between the United States and Taiwan, China will take decisive and effective measures to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” a statement from Xinhua News Agency said.
Beijing regards the democratic and self-governing island as a rebel province as part of its territory and has agreed to take it back, albeit by force.
According to the “One China” principle, Beijing does not allow any country to maintain diplomatic relations with both itself and Taiwanese at the same time.
“I underlined [en la reunión] “It’s something President Reagan advocated that we have to be strong to keep the peace,” said Tsai, who arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a diplomatic trip to Belize and Guatemala.
gratitude
Taiwan is grateful to assist the United States as we face the unique challenges of our time.” said.
The US recognized Beijing in 1979, but it is a major ally of Taiwan and its largest arms supplier.
Support for the candidate is one of the few impartial consensus in the US Congress, and that relationship has strengthened during Tsai’s tenure.
McCarthy, a second-rate presidential authority and native of California, described Taiwan as “a prosperous democracy, a thriving economy, and a world leader in health and science.”
“Friendship (…) between the Taiwanese people and the United States is critical to the preservation of economic freedom, regional peace and stability,” McCarthy said. said. We will deliver on our promises and reaffirm our commitment to our shared values.”
“We must continue to sell arms to Taiwan,” he told reporters after the meeting.
“Our goal is that this never happens, but we know historically that it is best to provide weapons so that people can avoid war.” “It’s an important lesson we learned in Ukraine that the thought of sanctions won’t hold anyone back.”
demonstrations
Protesters, carrying flags and slogans in favor of Beijing or defending Taipei’s position, gathered around the library, where both politicians shook hands.
A small plane shouted, “One China! Taiwan belongs to China!”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken downplayed Tsai’s breakthrough in California and urged Beijing not to use it as “an excuse to escalate tensions”.
“This transition by top Taiwanese officials is nothing new,” he told reporters in Brussels, where he met with NATO leaders.
“This is a private matter and not official.”
McCarthy intended to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who visited Taiwan last August.
The gesture angered China, which responded with the largest military maneuver in its history around the island.
The Republican leader eventually decided to meet with Tsai, along with several congressmen outside of Los Angeles.
conflict
However, Xu Xueyuan, chargé d’affaires at the Chinese embassy in the US, told reporters last week that Washington risks a “serious conflict” over whether US leaders should visit Taiwan.
Beijing officials said McCarthy was “playing with fire” during the meeting.
Pelosi welcomed Wednesday’s rally in California, which was attended by more than a dozen members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans.
“Today’s meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai and McCarthy is commendable for his leadership, bipartisan commitment and prestigious and historic venue,” he said.
Tsai’s hiatus, whose term expires in 2024, came as China stepped up military, economic and diplomatic pressure on the self-governing democracy.
Only 13 countries in the world recognize Taipei.
Source: Ultimahora
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Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
