A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by Representative Mike Gallagher, Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, arrived in Taiwan on Thursday to kick off a three day visit as part of a longer tour of the Indo-Pacific region. President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) received the delegation on Thursday morning at the Presidential Office.
President Tsai expressed her gratitude for the delegation’s visit in her speech, saying that the visit is a testament to the friendship between the U.S. and Taiwan. She pointed out that this year also marks the 45-year anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. Tsai also thanked the U.S. Congress for their continued support in strengthening Taiwan's self-defense capabilities and maintaining regional peace through the National Defense Authorization Act.
Other members of the delegation include Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Michigan Rep. John Moolenaar, South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson, and Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton. The delegation is also set to meet with the Vice President-elect and Taiwan’s former representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and members of civil society to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations in trade and national security.