Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), joined Rep. Tom Tiffany and Rep. Andy Ogles in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te when the leader of the democratic nation transits through New York and Texas later this year. 

              In a letter led by Congressman Tiffany, the three lawmakers said that “Taiwan has become a vibrant, multi-party democracy, while Communist China has become more oppressive, more belligerent, and more dangerous.” They said that such a high-level meeting would underscore “the importance America affixes to the U.S.-Taiwan friendship.”

              Over the years as both Chairman and Co-Chairman of the CECC, Smith has repeatedly underscored the important role Taiwan plays in countering Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. At this week’s CECC hearing, Stand With Taiwan: Countering the PRC’s Political Warfare and Transnational Repression, the respected human rights lawmaker said that as a frontline state absorbing much of the CCP’s belligerent attention, “Taiwan’s security is America’s security, and the political warfare and transnational repression campaigns that are waged against Taiwan in an amplified manner are also being waged here.” 

              Smith, who is also a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, additionally spoke out against CCP pressure that is being placed on South Africa to downgrade its relationship with Taiwan at a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup on Tuesday, July 22, garnering the praise of Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, who said that he “sincerely welcomes Chairman Smith’s statements and thanks him for speaking up for Taiwan.” 

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Contact:
Teagan Gambert (202) 225-3765
http://chrissmith.house.gov