'China can't tell me where and when I can go' to Taiwan: McCarthy
The Financial Times reports that the Taiwanese government provided McCarthy's team with intel regarding a possible Chinese threat if there were to be a high-profile US visit to the island.
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US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaking on Capitol Hill in February, 2023. (Reuters)
As US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed on Tuesday that he is due to meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in California, he did not exclude the possibility to visit Taiwan.
Citing an unnamed high-ranking Taiwanese official, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday that the Taiwanese government provided McCarthy's team with intel regarding a possible Chinese threat if there were to be a high-profile US visit to the island.
"That has nothing to do with my travel if I would go to Taiwan," McCarthy was quoted by Bloomberg, adding: "China can't tell me where and when I can go."
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Heightened tensions increase
With the US being one of Taiwan's closest allies, and main arms supplier alongside adopting the "One China" policy, Taiwan's defense minister confirmed on Monday an increase in the Chinese defense budget amid increased military drills around the island since ex-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit in July last year.
"I think they are waiting for a good reason to send troops, such as high-level visits from other countries to Taiwan or too-frequent activities between our military and other countries," the minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said.
The last trip made by the Taiwanese president to the US was in 2019, as a stop during official visits to diplomatic allies in the Caribbean region.
Most recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned during a media briefing on Tuesday that a conflict may be "inevitable" between the US and China if the former does not “hit the brake” in its policies towards the latter.
According to Qin, China was aiming for “a sound and stable relationship with the US” but the Biden administration’s request for “guardrails” was the US' insinuation “that China should not respond in word or in action when attacked,” describing it as "not possible."
A government report stressed on Sunday at the opening of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress -- China's supreme legislative body -- that the country will firmly fight against "Taiwan’s independence" and promote reunification of the island with the homeland.
