China stages military exercises as US lawmakers visit Taiwan

Huizhong Wu, The Associated Press

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, and Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan � China said its military staged exercises Friday to reinforce its threat to use force to bring Taiwan under its control, as U.S. lawmakers visiting Taiwan made a pointed and public declaration of their support for the self-governing island democracy while issuing a warning to China.

Enlarge The U.S. congressional delegation, from left, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Sen. Ben Sas...

The U.S. congressional delegation, from left, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., pose for a photo with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, center right, and other Taiwanese officials during a meeting at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday, April 15, 2022. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

The six lawmakers met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday morning and were also scheduled to meet with the island�s defense minister.

Top