US Department of State says China is ‘overreacting’ to congressional delegation visit

2022-08-16

China on Monday announced a fresh wave of combat drills near Taiwan, after the visit of a U.S. congressional delegation led by Senator Ed Markey. Officials in the U.S. said China’s actions are an overreaction, adding that the visit was done in accordance with the U.S.’ “one China” policy. Markey has released a statement on his Taiwan visit, saying that the U.S. should continue to cooperate with Taiwan to avoid conflict and miscalculation in the Taiwan Strait.

A delegation led by U.S. Senator Ed Markey visited Taiwan the past two days. On Monday, the PLA announced further combat drills near Taiwan. The U.S. Department of State has criticized the move.

Ned Price
US Department of State spokesperson
Any response to a peaceful visit by members of Congress, any response that entails bellicose rhetoric or military maneuvers or provocative actions is totally unnecessary and an absolute overreaction.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said that 10 U.S. delegations had visited Taiwan so far this year, all of them in accordance with the U.S.’ “One China” policy. He criticized Beijing for overreacting to the visits.

Ned Price
US Department of State spokesperson
And they will continue to do so. Some 10 or more congressional delegations have visited Taiwan this year alone.

After departing Taiwan, Markey released a statement on his delegation’s two-day itinerary in Taiwan. He said the delegation exchanged views with Taiwanese counterparts in a wide variety of issues including support for peace and stability in Taiwan.

CNN reporter
They met today with the Taiwanese president. And notably after, she praised the group saying that she was so happy that they visited at this key moment in time. And that certainly is an important comment that this was a key moment.

The statement continued saying, “Consistent with our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. must continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international community and help Taiwan withstand cross-strait coercion. We must continue to work together to avoid conflict and miscalculation in the Taiwan Strait.”

Robin Wright
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
You did see a bipartisan delegation going there. I think there are those in Washington who feel it’s time to say to China, “Don’t keep meddling in the South China Sea,” “Don’t keep threatening Taiwan.”

The statement said Markey had met with TSMC representatives to discuss partnerships to improve semiconductor supply chains and investment in the U.S.

CNN reporter
And they say the goal of the meetings are to discuss trade, economic cooperation and certainly to reduce the tensions in the region.

The delegation’s visit has been slammed by China, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling it a “blatant provocation” and saying that China had to take the necessary and legitimate countermeasures. Meanwhile, in a rare move, the Philippine ambassador to the U.S. weighed in on the matter, saying that if conflict erupts in the Taiwan Strait, the Philippines would stand with the U.S., just as it did during World War II.

美參議員馬基總結台灣行籲美台合作阻台海衝突

2022-08-16

美國參議院外委會亞太主席馬基率團訪台，共軍隨即宣布在台灣周邊進行實戰化演練。美國國務院今天表示，議員訪台符合美國一中政策，任何軍事挑釁都是反應過度，沒有必要。馬基也總結2天訪台行程，特別強調美國必須繼續支持台灣參與國際社會，並協助台灣抵抗脅迫。

美國參議員馬基14、15號率團訪問台灣，解放軍15號隨即宣布，在台海周邊實戰化演練，對此美國無法默不作聲。

[[美國國務院發言人普萊斯]]
“對於議員和平訪問的任何回應，任何好戰言論或是軍事演習或挑釁行動，完全都是不必要的，完全是反應過度”

普萊斯指出，美國國會議員數十年來接連造訪台灣，符合美方一中政策，批評中國反應過度。

[[美國國務院發言人普萊斯]]
“他們今後還會訪台，光是今年就約有10個代表團訪台”

馬基離開台灣後也發布新聞稿總結兩天行程，表示雙方對廣泛議題交換意見，包括支持台灣和平穩定。

[[CNN記者]]
“他們見到台灣總統，她特別歡迎議員在關鍵時刻來訪，相當重要的言論點出這是關鍵時刻”

他強調，基於台灣關係法的承諾，美國會繼續支持台灣參與國際社會、抵禦中國脅迫，美台也要攜手合作，避免台海衝突及誤判。

[[美國智庫威爾遜中心萊特]]
“代表團是由兩黨組成，我想他們認為是時候對中國說，別再來南海搗亂，別再威脅台灣”

馬基指出，這次也見到台積電代表，討論建立夥伴關係，改善美國半導體供應鏈和投資。

[[CNN記者]]
“訪團說會面的目的是討論貿易、經濟合作，當然還有降低區域緊張”

中國當然不開心，外交部長王毅就說美國是公然挑釁，中國必須做出正當反應。菲律賓駐美大使羅慕德斯倒是罕見表態，如果台海爆發戰爭，會選擇像二戰一樣，與美國同盟。