US GOP governor latest official to visit Taiwan

More officials from the United States have begun to visit the island nation of Taiwan at a time when tensions are rife following the visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The latest visit is by the Republican governor of Indiana, Eric Holcomb.

Holcomb arrived in Taipei Sunday, making him the latest US official to visit the democratically-governed island nation, which China claims as its territory. Holcomb’s arrival in Taiwan also further defies the increased pressure by Beijing on Washington for its officials not to visit the island.

Beijing stepped up its military activities by Taiwan since Pelosi’s visit earlier this month, holding drills close to the island.

Holcomb’s visit also follows the visit by a delegation of lawmakers to Taiwan last week. Holcomb also shared on Twitter that he would visit South Korea as Taiwan’s presidential office said Holcomb would be meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen Monday.

“I’m energized to spend this week building new relationships, reinforcing longtime ones, and strengthening key sector partnerships with Taiwan and South Korea,” said Holcomb, who described his visit to both nations as an “economic development trip,” as he was the first US governor to come to Taiwan since the pandemic.

“Our delegation will spend this week meeting with government officials, business leaders, and academic institutions to further strengthen Indiana’s economic, academic, and cultural connections with Taiwan and South Korea,” said Holcomb.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Holcomb is expected to meet with representatives of Taiwanese semiconductor companies but did not disclose any further details and would sign various agreements on trade and technology.

During Holcomb’s meeting with Tsai, the Taiwanese leader said Taiwan and the United States are key security and economic allies in the Indo-Pacific region as well as democratic allies.

Tsai said that allies must stand together in the face of possible threats, especially from China. Taiwan has repeatedly rejected China’s sovereignty claims over the island.

In her remarks, Tsai also stressed the importance of cooperation in all areas in light of the military threats posed by China on the island and on the Taiwan Strait, which China also claims as its territory.