US delegation to Taiwan, China for drills

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (centre) and the US delegation to Taiwan on the evening of April 14 – Photo: REUTERS

China’s military has dispatched destroyers, bombers and fighter jets to the East China Sea and the area around Taiwan, Reuters news agency quoted information from China’s state television (CCTV) as saying. battle.

“This operation is in response to the US regularly sending false signals on the Taiwan issue,” said Shi Yilu, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army.

“The bad actions and tricks of the US are completely futile and dangerous. Playing with fire will burn one day,” added spokesman Shi Yilu.

The plane carrying a group of US senators led by Mr. Lindsey Graham arrived in Taiwan on the evening of April 14. The delegation also included Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez.

The US delegation is scheduled to visit Taiwan for two days, meet with the island’s leaders and discuss “the relationship between the US and the island of Taiwan, regional security and other important issues of mutual concern”.

During a meeting on April 15 with Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez said Taiwan’s security has implications for the world.

In his speech, Mr. Menendez mentioned Taiwan as a country. Such moves often anger Beijing because China considers Taiwan part of its territory.

The US delegation took photos with Taiwanese officials – Photo: REUTERS

The United States has no official relations with Taiwan but is an arms supplier and an active supporter of the island in the international arena.

Menendez acknowledged the Chinese government would be “not satisfied” with the US delegation’s visit to the island, but that did not stop the delegation’s support for Taiwan.

Washington’s support for Taiwan also caused Sino-US relations to escalate tensions for a long time.

Senator Lindsey Graham warned Tsai Ing-wen about China’s provocations related to the war in Ukraine.

“We will stand with you. Giving up Taiwan would be giving up democracy and freedom,” Mr. Graham said.