Philip Davidson, the former commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, recently traveled to Taiwan as a U.S. think tank scholar. He met with President Tsai Ing-wen on Feb. 2 and said he wishes to strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. Meanwhile, there are rumors that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy is set to visit Taiwan. China has expressed its opposition to such a visit, and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded the U.S. to abide by the one-China policy.
Former U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Philip Davidson met with President Tsai Ing-wen on Feb. 2 in his capacity as a scholar at the U.S. think tank The National Bureau of Asian Research. He had previously expressed concerns over the situation across the Taiwan Strait multiple times and the purpose of this visit was to hold an exchange with Taiwan and strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Philip Davidson, Former Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command: “Our discussions over the past few days have underscored Taiwan's vibrant democracy and civil society, addressed the range of actions that the PRC takes towards Taiwan, and highlighted areas in which the U.S. and Taiwan can continue to foster and strengthen their relationship.”
Tsai Ing-wen, President: “He continued calling on the U.S. to pay attention to the Taiwan Strait issue after leaving office, so I'd like to take this opportunity to specially thank Admiral Davidson for his contributions to the security of the Taiwan Strait. ”
Davidson will call on government and military officials during his visit and discuss Indo-Pacific security. Meanwhile, there are rumors that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy is set to visit Taiwan. China has expressed its opposition to such a visit, and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded the U.S. to abide by the one-China policy. McCarthy had this to say.
Kevin McCarthy, Speaker, US House of Representatives: “(Any reaction to China's warning against visiting Taiwan for you?) I don't think China can tell me where I can go at any time and at any place.”
Jeff Liu, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Czech Republic are both actively communicating and making arrangements for the visit of the speaker to Taiwan.”
Marketa Pekarova Adamova, speaker of the Czech Republic's Chamber of Deputies, held a videoconference on Feb. 1 with Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Wu. She confirmed she will lead a delegation to visit Taiwan in March. This comes after Czech President-elect Petr Pavel held a phone conversation with Tsai.
美國前印太司令戴維森，2日以美國智庫國家亞洲研究局學者身分，會晤總統蔡英文，先前戴維森曾多次對台海情勢表達擔憂，這一次來訪就是跟台灣進行交流討論，加強台美合作。
美國前印太司令戴維森說道：「過去幾天以來我們看到了台灣，蓬勃發展的民主以及公民社會，也見識到了中共對台灣進行壓迫的行徑，我們也知道台美之間，有許多可以持續加深加強關係的地方。」
總統蔡英文表示：「卸任之後也致力呼籲美國關注台海議題，藉這個機會我要特別感謝戴維森上將對台海安全的貢獻。」
戴維森此次訪台，拜會政軍界人士，就印太安全區域進行討論，近來美國眾議院議長麥卡錫，傳出即將來台訪問，消息引發中國反彈，中國外交部也呼籲美國要恪守一中原則，麥卡錫也對此做出回應。
美國眾議院議長麥卡錫提及：「（對於中國警告你不要訪台的回應？）我不認為中國能告訴我，任何時候任何地點我能去哪裡。」
外交部發言人劉永健指出：「外交部跟駐捷克代表處都在對議長訪台之行積極的聯繫安排。」
不只美國議長，捷克眾議院議長艾達莫娃，1日與外交部長吳釗燮視訊，並證實3月將率團訪台，也是暨捷克總統當選人帕維爾與蔡總統通話之後，捷克再度展現，不畏中國與台灣強化合作的態度。