Legislative speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) is in Washington. You gave a speech on Wednesday at the International Religious Freedom Summit, where he said Taiwan is the only democracy in the Chinese-speaking world.
Following the summit, You answered questions about the purpose of his visit, including if it was to help US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy organize a visit to Taiwan.
Media reports last week indicated US officials are preparing for a McCarthy trip to Taiwan later this spring. Taiwan’s representative to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) was seen visiting McCarthy’s office earlier this week.
You refused to answer if he communicated with McCarthy’s staff, but he said interactions between leaders from both countries are normal. He said China’s overreactions to these regular exchanges between representatives demonstrates that it is not a democratic country.
You also plans on attending the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning. The breakfast is a yearly political event hosted by members of the US Congress. You says he also plans to meet with Taiwanese nationals and academics on his trip.