WASHINGTON: US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen in California this week, the former’s office has confirmed, despite China’s warning of “serious repercussions” if the meeting takes place.
The third-highest-ranking US official will meet Tsai in a “bipartisan” meeting at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library outside of Los Angeles as the Taiwanese leader makes a stopover in the US on Wednesday while returning from a tour of Taiwan’s allies in Central America.
“On Wednesday, April 5th, Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be hosting a bipartisan meeting with the President of Taiwan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library,” McCarthy’s office said on Monday. The library is 64km (40 miles) from the centre of Los Angeles.
Beijing last week cautioned that any meeting between Tsai and the US speaker could lead to Washington seeing “serious repercussions”.
On Monday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Beijing “strongly” opposes any kind of official interaction and contact between the US and Taiwan governments.
Soaring US-China tensions
US-China relations are at a low point in the wake of a row over alleged spy balloons and increasing attempts by the US to cut off China’s access to advanced tech.
Former US speaker’s visit to Taiwan last year was seen as a major provocation by China, which reacted with military drills around the island.
China considers Taiwan, a self-governing island of 23 million, as a breakaway province to be taken by force if necessary. Meanwhile, US is Taiwan’s most important ally and arms supplier.
