Taipei.Taiwan has the right to be free and “preserve self-determination”, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Armed Services Committee and one of the strongest advocates for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress, told the island’s president on Friday.
Wicker, a Republican, told Taiwan President Lai Ching-te during a meeting at the presidential office in Taipei that he and his colleague, Senator Deb Fischer, were visiting to get a better understanding of Taiwan’s needs and concerns.
Beijing is rehearsing for one of its largest-ever military parades, marking 80 years since the end of World War Two following Japan’s surrender.
“We come here from the United States bringing a message from the Congress of commitment, of long-term friendship and a determination that a free country like Taiwan absolutely has the right to remain free and preserve self-determination,” Wicker said.
Beijing, which regularly denounces any shows of support for Taipei from Washington, repeated its opposition to Wicker’s trip. China firmly opposes any official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, the country’s foreign ministry said. -Reuters
