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China announced on Monday that it would resume military exercises around Taiwan after a surprise visit by a delegation of US lawmakers to the autonomous region.
Five lawmakers landed in Taiwan on Sunday, less than two weeks after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi infuriated China with her own visit. This was the impetus for military exercises. These exercises will be updated in response to the second Congressional delegation.
Five members of Congress include Senator Ed Markey of D-Mass and Rep. John Garamendi of D-Mass, California. Alan Lowenthal, D-California. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Amata Radewagen (R-AS).
The group met with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and other senior government officials on Sunday and Monday.
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Pelosi was the highest-level U.S. official to visit the island since House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1997.
China has long claimed Taiwan as its territory, even though it has its own democratic government. China claims the US lawmakers’ visit violates the US “One China Policy,” which recognizes the Beijing government as China’s sole government.
The United States has agreed not to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but has provided the government with defense and other assistance.
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Taiwan first separated from mainland China after a civil war between the Democratic and Communist forces in 1949.