TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部), the government agency responsible for the island's diplomatic relations, welcomed a high-profile delegation of U.S. Democratic congressmen on Monday (June 16). The group is led by Representative Ami Bera, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus (國會台灣連線), a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers advocating for stronger U.S.-Taiwan ties. This visit represents the latest in a series of congressional delegations, underscoring the U.S. legislature's continued commitment to Taiwan through tangible diplomatic engagement.
Representative Bera, who has built a reputation in Washington for consistently championing pro-Taiwan legislation and opposing China's diplomatic and legal pressure tactics against the island, heads the six-member delegation. The visiting lawmakers include Representatives Gabe Amo, Wesley Bell, Julie Johnson, Sarah McBride, and Johnny Olszewski, representing various districts across the United States. The congressional group plans to conduct a three-day visit to Taiwan, departing on Wednesday.
Taiwan's foreign ministry highlighted that all delegation members have established records of actively supporting Taiwan's interests and publicly advocating for the island in congressional debates and policy initiatives. The itinerary includes high-level meetings with Taiwan's newly inaugurated President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), who previously served as Taiwan's representative to the United States. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) will host a formal banquet honoring the American lawmakers, where discussions will focus on strengthening Taiwan-U.S. relations, addressing regional security challenges, enhancing economic security, and building more resilient supply chains between the two economies. ◼