US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan days after Pelosi’s visit

TAIPEI: Five US lawmakers arrived in Taipei for a surprise visit on Sunday amid escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait, following a trip earlier this month by Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

According to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which acts as the de facto US embassy, the two-day visit is part of a larger trip to the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions are to focus on regional security, trade and investment, among other issues, dpa news agency reported.

Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the visit, saying that the delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

The visiting lawmakers, from both Republican and Democratic parties, are Senator Ed Markey and Representatives John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal, Don Beyer and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.

China increased pressure on Taiwan both militarily and economically after a 19-hour visit to Taipei by Pelosi on August 2-3.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the island part of its territory. In 1979, Washington formally cut diplomatic ties with Taipei and built relations with Beijing.