Indiana’s Republican governor became the latest US lawmaker to lead a delegation to Taiwan following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip earlier in August that sparked condemnation and military threats from China.
Gov. Eric Holcomb met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday, as part of a four-day visit to Taiwan and South Korea that is intended to “further strengthen Indiana’s economic, academic and cultural connections with Taiwan and South Korea,” his office said in a statement.
China responded to Pelosi’s travel to the island by extending military exercises and firing missiles into the Strait of Taiwan.
Tsai remarked on the unease in the area during her meeting with Holcomb.
“In the midst of this, Taiwan has been confronted by military threats from China, in and around the Taiwan Strait. At this moment, democratic allies must stand together and boost cooperation in all areas,” Tsai said.
Holcomb, for his part, said the United States and Taiwan share so many common values, interests and goals. “We will continue to seek to build strategic partnerships with you,” he added.
The Governor is due to meet representatives of Taiwan's semiconductor companies on his visit amid an expansion of links between his state and the island, which is home to the world's largest contact chip maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Taiwan is considered a crucial global supplier of some of the most advanced semiconductors used in everything from mobile phones and laptops to cars and missiles.
“Taiwan is willing and able to strengthen cooperation with democratic partners in building sustainable supply chains for democracy chips,” Tsai affirmed.
“Building on our existing foundation of collaboration, I look forward to our supporting one another, and advancing hand in hand, forging closer relations and creating even deeper cooperation,” she said.
Both countries announced on Wednesday objectives for trade negotiations set for the early autumn.
Beijing considers Taiwan a province that must be “reunified” with the mainland by force if necessary, and has accused the US of trying to overturn decades of diplomatic policy concerning the island’s status.
Last year some 42 percent of Taiwan's exports went to China and Hong Kong compared to 15 percent for the United States.
Washington diplomatically recognizes Beijing over Taipei, but it maintains de facto relations with Taiwan and supports the island's right to decide its future.
