McCarthy Confirms He's Planning to Meet Tsai 麥卡錫證實將與蔡在美會面 中國嚴重關切

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has confirmed he will be meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen in the U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price discribed Tsai's expected travel as "transit" rather than a "visit" to the United States. He added that it is not something that would break any new ground. It is entirely consistent with the status quo. Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that the Chinese government could use TikTok to control public opinion should it invade Taiwan.

Kevin McCarthy, US House of Representatives Speaker: “China can't tell me where and when to go. None of that discussion ever happened. The president happens to be in America and I'm going to meet with her.”

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed on March 8 that he will be meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen in the U.S. In response, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked the U.S. to clarify points about Tsai's U.S. transit. The U.S. Department of State responded that McCarthy has the right to decide who he should meet with, Tsai's transit will be consistent with longstanding U.S. policy, and there has been absolutely no change to the U.S.' one-China policy.

Ned Price, Spokesperson, US Department of State: “Transits of the United States by high-level Taiwan officials are consistent with longstanding U.S. policy and with our unofficial and strong relations with Taiwan. President Tsai herself has transited the United States six times in the last seven years.”

Douglas Hsu, Director General, Dept. of N. American Affairs, MOFA: “All units are still in the process of related communications and preparations. As for related itinerary details, we will make them public once they are finalized.”

The Presidential Office said it will only make a public announcement once details are finalized, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the Taiwanese people to be on alert for fake news spread with the evil intention of dividing people. Several U.S. senators have proposed banning TikTok, alleging it is a threat to national security and China could use the app to influence public opinion, including on the issue of Taiwan.

Marco Rubio, US Senator: “...to divide Americans against each other or, for example, let's say China wants to invade Taiwan, to make sure that Americans are seeing videos arguing why Taiwan belongs to China and why the U.S. should not intervene?”

Christopher Wray, US FBI Director: “Yes, and I would make the point on that... the most fundamental piece that cuts across every one of those risks and threats that you mentioned.”

According to the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence's 2023 annual threat assessment, as Xi Jinping begins his third term as China's leader, the CCP will work to press Taiwan on unification and undercut U.S. influence.

美國眾議院議長麥卡錫說道：「中國不能告訴哪裡可以去，無權置喙，蔡總統來美國我會去見她。」

美國眾議院議長麥卡錫，週三證實將與總統蔡英文在美國會面，中國外交部嚴重關切蔡英文過境美國計畫，也要求美方澄清。美國國務院對此表示麥卡錫有權決定與誰會面，而蔡英文過境符合現狀，一中政策沒有改變。

美國國務院發言人普萊斯提及：「台灣高階官員過境美國，符合美國長年政策及與台灣的強健非官方關係，蔡總統過去7年已過境美國6次。」

外交部北美司長徐佑典指出：「各單位也在進行相關的溝通跟籌備，至於相關行程的規劃細節，我們會在定案之後適時的跟外界說明。」

總統府強調出訪如果有定案會向外界說明。現在中國威脅持續加大，外交部提醒要注意惡意分化的錯假訊息，美國跨黨派參議員也提案禁用抖音，認為有國安隱憂，中國可藉此影響公眾言論，也包括台灣論述。

美國參議員盧比歐表示：「抖音可以用來分裂美國人的言論嗎？例如假設中國想要入侵台灣，為了確保美國人看到影片爭論為什麼台灣屬於中國，以及為什麼美國不應該干預。」

美國聯邦調查局局長瑞伊說明：「是的我要特別指出最後一個問題，我認為最重要的是涵蓋你提到的，每一個風險和威脅的基本部分。」

美國國家情報總監辦公室也發布年度報告關切中國威脅，報告指出，進入第3任任期的中國國家主席習近平在未來數年內將對台灣持續施壓，尋求統一台灣，並試圖削弱美國影響力。