U.S. lawmakers affirm support for Taiwan against China's 'aggression'

US lawmaker reaffirms support for Taiwan against Chinese aggression, urging Congress to assist in strengthening self-defense capabilities.

A senior U.S. lawmaker affirmed on Monday Washington's support for Taiwan against Chinese "aggression", on the first congressional visit to the self-ruled island since it swore in a new President.

Sitting down Monday morning with President Lai Ching-te, Representative Michael McCaul — who heads the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee — said he and his colleagues stood in "strong support of this beautiful island".

Three days after Mr. Lai was sworn in, Chinese warships and fighter jets encircled Taiwan in drills that Beijing said were a test of its ability to seize the island.

China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, and says it will never renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Mr. McCaul on Monday condemned those "intimidating military exercises", saying they showed China was "not interested in taking Taiwan by peaceful means".

"All democracies must stand together against aggression and tyranny," Mr. McCaul said.

"Whether it's Putin in Russia, the Ayatollah in Iran or Chairman Xi next door to us in China, an unholy alliance is eroding peace around the world," he told Mr. Lai.