Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., delivered a speech during the House Republicans’ press conference regarding the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The conference took place in the Rayburn Room in the U.S. Capitol on August 31, 2021. Cq-roll Call, Inc. captured the moment in a photograph.
A significant development has taken place as a bipartisan congressional delegation, led by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, has arrived in Taiwan for a three-day visit. This news has been confirmed by the American Institute in Taiwan. The delegation consists of various members from the committee, including its ranking member, Adam Smith, D-Wash., along with several other committee members and lawmakers.
During their visit, the delegation has scheduled a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This visit holds immense significance due to the delicate nature of the United States’ relationship with China, its main trading partner and strategic competitor in political, economic, and security domains.
Taiwan plays a central role in Washington’s efforts to counter China’s military and diplomatic expansion throughout the Indo-Pacific region. While Taiwan operates as a self-ruling democracy, China regards it as a province of the mainland. Beijing considers any form of independent action by Taiwan’s leaders as a threat to its sovereignty.
Below is a list of the members of the congressional delegation visiting Taiwan:
– Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
– Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.
– Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii.
– Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla.
– Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.
– Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn.
– Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.
– Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala.
– James Moylan, Republican, Guam’s delegate to the House.
This visit by Rogers marks the third public trip made by members of Congress to Taiwan this year, but it is his first visit. The fact that Rogers chairs the committee responsible for funding and overseeing the U.S. military will not go unnoticed by Beijing or Taipei. The House Armed Services Committee’s spokeswoman declined to comment on the trip.
Visits by congressional delegations to politically sensitive areas such as Taiwan are typically kept confidential until the delegation arrives, and any public remarks regarding the trip are usually reserved until after its conclusion.
Rogers’ visit coincides with the Biden administration’s endeavors to stabilize the bilateral relationship with China. The relationship reached a low point in February after the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had initially planned to visit Beijing in February but postponed the trip due to the aforementioned incident. Blinken emphasized the need to stabilize the relationship during his visit in June, expressing hope for improved communication and engagement moving forward.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reportedly intends to visit China in July, although the Treasury Department has refrained from commenting on her travel plans.
While visits by senior Biden administration officials to China contribute to normalizing the U.S.-China relationship, visits like Rogers’ delegation to Taiwan have a contrasting effect. Anti-China sentiments resonate more loudly on Capitol Hill, where bipartisan agreement on the issue is rare, compared to the White House, which prioritizes U.S. trade interests and the avoidance of military conflict.
As of now, there has been no comment from Beijing regarding the delegation’s visit. Additionally, the National Security Council’s spokeswoman has not responded to requests for comments regarding the congressional visit.
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