The five-member delegation, led by Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, will meet with senior leaders to discuss US-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade, investment and other issues, the American Taiwan Institute said. The institute represents the US government, which has no official ties to Taiwan. China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, responded to Pelosi’s Aug. 2 visit by sending missiles, warships and warplanes into the seas and skies around Taiwan for several days afterward. The Chinese government opposes Taiwan’s official contact with foreign governments, particularly a senior congressional leader like Pelosi. A Taiwanese broadcaster showed video of a US government plane landing at about 7pm on Sunday at Songshan Airport in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. While it was not confirmed who was on board, the American Institute issued a brief statement shortly after announcing that the delegation would be in Taiwan on Sunday and Monday as part of a trip to Asia. The other members of the delegation are the Republican Dem. Chinese warplanes are crossing the middle of the Taiwan Strait every day, even after military exercises have ended, with at least 10 doing so on Sunday, Taiwan’s defense ministry said. The 10 fighter jets were among 22 Chinese military aircraft and six navy ships spotted in the area around Taiwan by 5pm on Sunday, the ministry said on its Twitter account.
