US House Committee Member Meeks Meets Taiwan's Representative, Reaffirms Support for Self-Defense

A senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has reaffirmed American support for Taiwan, meeting with the island's top diplomat in Washington.

Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York, met with Taiwan's representative to the U.S., Bi-khim Hsiao, on June 11. During the meeting, Meeks reiterated Congress's commitment to Taiwan, including support for its self-defense capabilities and adherence to the "Six Assurances." The U.S. official also emphasized the importance of maintaining close economic and cultural ties between the U.S. and Taiwan.

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I think it's very important to ensure that Taiwan has everything it needs to defend itself

Meeks, who visited Taiwan earlier this year, has consistently stressed the significance of U.S. backing for Taiwan's defense. Ahead of a summit between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Meeks and other senior Democratic House members urged Trump to approve delayed arms sales to Taiwan. They warned that such delays could undermine deterrence against potential Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait.

"I think it's very important to ensure that Taiwan has everything it needs to defend itself," Meeks told CBS News last month. He also pointed out that while Xi Jinping has influence over the president, "he does not have influence over the U.S. Congress and the American people." Meeks added that Congress had taken action on arms sales, and the delay now rested with the president.

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he does not have influence over the U.S. Congress and the American people