A U.S. delegation led by the Chair of the Congressional Select Committee on China on Thursday started a three-day visit to Taiwan.

The leader of the delegation of the Chinese Communist Party, Mike Gallagher, met with the President Tsai Ing-wen Thursday.

“In 2024, we hope to see even more Taiwan-U.S. exchanges in a range of domains. I hope you appreciate that today we’ve come as Democrats and Republicans to show our bipartisan support for this partnership, which I give thanks to your leadership.

“I think it’s stronger and more rock solid than ever,’’Mr Gallagher said during the meeting with Mr Tsai.

Mr Gallagher expressed appreciation to Mr Tsai “for not only being an incredible leader here in Taiwan, but really distinguishing yourself as a leader within the free world.’’

“And today, freedom is under attack from authoritarian aggression. And we need to be more vigilant than ever if we want to pass on this gift of freedom we have been given to the next generation,’’ Mr Gallagher said.

The delegation would also meet other senior officials and members of civil society to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, among other things.

The American Institute in Taiwan is the de facto U.S. embassy to Taipei.

The AIT noted, “Four other U.S. delegates included Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, Representative John Moolenaar, Representative Dusty Johnson, and Representative Seth Moulton.’’d.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the self-ruled island as its territory.

For decades, Beijing has opposed visits by foreign lawmakers to Taiwan. The U.S. is legally bound to support Taiwan’s defence capabilities due to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.

The visit in Taiwan was part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region for the U.S. delegation.

(dpa/NAN)