US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan following Pelosi’s controversial visit

A delegation of US lawmakers led by Sen. Ed Markey arrived in Taiwan on Sunday — less than two weeks after China staged a series of military drills in retaliation for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island. 

The five lawmakers are expected to meet President Tsai Ing-wen during their two-day visit to the island amid heightened relations between Beijing and Washington over Pelosi’s visit and China’s aggressive posturing in the region. 

China believes Taiwan, which is self-governed, is part of its sovereign territory and has suggested that it will reunify the island – by force if necessary. 

The five-member delegation, led by Markey (D-Mass.), will also meet senior Taiwanese leaders to discuss regional security, trade, investment and relations between Taipei and Washington.

“Especially at a time when China is raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the region with military exercises, Markey leading a delegation to visit Taiwan once again demonstrates the United States Congress’ firm support for Taiwan,” Taiwan’s presidential office said in a statement.

Media in Taiwan showed a US plane landing around 7 p.m. local time at Songshan Airport in Taipei. 

The other members of the delegation are Republican Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, a delegate from American Samoa, and Democratic House members John Garamendi and Alan Lowenthal from California and Don Beyer from Virginia.

China extended military drills and sanctioned Pelosi and her immediate family for the California Democrat’s 19-hour stay in Taiwan earlier this month. 

She became the first highest-ranking elected official to visit the island since then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich 25 years ago. 

With Post wires