On the afternoon of April 23, Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang of the Legislative Yuan welcomed a six-member bipartisan delegation led by Lisa McClain, Secretary of the Republican Conference at the United States House of Representatives. Also present were Legislator Ko Ju-chun, Vice Chairperson of the Legislative Yuan USA Caucus (LUC), Legislator Chang Chi-kai, Vice Chairperson of the LUC, Legislator Lai Hui-yuan, International Affairs Department Director Kevin C.F. Lin, and Director of the Congressional Affairs Group at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, Mr. Lin Cheng-hsi.

Vice President Chiang, as the Honorary Chairperson of the LUC, extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He noted that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), through which the U.S. government and Congress have provided substantial assistance to Taiwan over the past few decades. Vice President Chiang expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the government and the people of Taiwan. He continued by mentioning a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on April 22, stating that global defense spending reached a historic high of $2.443 trillion in 2023, indicating a worsening global peace and security situation. Vice President Chiang expressed relief that the recent substantial assistance from the United States in military matters has indeed enhanced Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. He particularly highlighted the passage of the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024, totaling $95.3 billion, by the United States House of Representatives on April 20, which allocated $81.2 billion in the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide military aid to Taiwan and strengthen U.S. efforts to maintain regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Vice President Chiang expressed gratitude to the U.S. Congress once again for this support.

Vice President Chiang also emphasized the long-standing support of three U.S. congressmen for Taiwan. He noted that Representative Lisa McClain urged the Biden administration to initiate formal bilateral trade negotiations with Taiwan in 2021 and expressed support for strengthening Taiwan-U.S. relations on social media platforms on the 45th anniversary of the TRA. Representative Dan Kildee frequently co-sponsors pro-Taiwan resolutions and supports Taiwan-U.S. trade agreement negotiations. Representative Mark Alford is highly concerned about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and China's threat to regional stability. He signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall in November 2023, urging the U.S. Department of Defense to address delays in delivering F-16 fighter jets and ground support equipment to Taiwan. Vice President Chiang expressed gratitude from across the political spectrum in Taiwan for these pro-Taiwan efforts.

Vice President Chiang further stated that Taiwan-U.S. relations have deepened and expanded in various fields in recent years. In addition to cooperation at the federal government and congressional levels, U.S. state governments have established offices in Taiwan, with 21 states and one territory (Guam) doubling the number of offices in Taiwan compared to three years ago. Next month, he will lead a bipartisan delegation to Geneva to garner support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), hoping for continued U.S. support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations. Vice President Chiang also mentioned the joint statement issued at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on May 17-19, which reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait to international security and prosperity. The meeting also supported Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, highlighting the inseparable link between security in the Taiwan Strait and global prosperity.

In her speech, Secretary Lisa McClain expressed her gratitude to Vice President Chiang, the Vice Chairperson, and members of the LUC for taking the time to meet with the visiting delegation. This visit was conducted by a bipartisan delegation from the United States House of Representatives, which is quite significant. She emphasized that Taiwan-U.S. relations have exceeded 45 years, and bilateral cooperation has continued to grow each year. She highlighted the importance of deepening Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in military, agricultural, and economic fields, noting that the bilateral relationship is closely watched by the world. Both countries should uphold a firm belief in democracy, freedom, and human rights. These shared core values will continue to solidify the bilateral friendship between Taiwan and the United States. Secretary McClain expressed hope that this visit to Taiwan would deepen understanding of the core issues of concern across party lines in Taiwan and identify and create more areas for cooperation. She introduced Representative Dan Kildee as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and Representative Mark Alford as a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. As bipartisan representatives, they will make every effort to support Taiwan and assist in deepening Taiwan-U.S. relations in various fields.

During the bilateral exchanges, Vice Chairperson Ko expressed Taiwan's recent focus on issues such as technology, digitalization, and AI. While technology brings convenience to the world, it also brings risks. He hoped to work with U.S. allies to create and enhance the use of emerging technologies to strengthen Taiwan's national defense and self-defense capabilities. Vice Chairperson Chang thanked the United States for its longstanding support in upholding democracy and freedom in Taiwan. He noted that the U.S.-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act was included in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 and passed by the House of Representatives in January of this year. This legislation is crucial for deepening Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade investment cooperation, and he hoped that the Senate would pass it soon. Taiwan will also promptly complete the necessary legal procedures to ensure that Taiwanese and American businesses, as well as cross-border workers, are exempt from double taxation. Legislator Lai expressed gratitude for U.S. support for Taiwan's democracy. She emphasized that U.S. support is indispensable for the Democratic Progressive Party to have grown from a small opposition party over 30 years ago to the ruling party today. Looking forward, she hoped for more cooperation and development between the two countries in various fields.

Vice President Chiang and representatives from three party caucuses exchanged views with Secretary Lisa McClain, Representative Dan Kildee, and Representative Mark Alford on issues such as stability in the Taiwan Strait, Indo-Pacific regional security, democracy and freedom, political and economic development, and military and national defense. Representative Dan Kildee, who has been in politics for 47 years, and Representative Mark Alford, who was elected for the first time and comes from a media background, both expressed their joy at seeing Taiwan-U.S. relations increasingly consolidated and pledged to continue to support the deepening of substantive friendly relations between the two sides. The atmosphere of the meeting was warm and friendly, lasting about 50 minutes, and ended with exchanges of commemorative gifts and group photos. Vice President Chiang wished the visiting delegation members success in the November U.S. federal election.

The delegation was then guided by staff from the Legislative Yuan's International Affairs Department to tour the parliamentary precincts and engage in discussions on parliamentary architecture, rules of procedure, and other issues. The visit concluded in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.