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New head of U.S. House foreign affairs committee visits Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

2013/01/26 15:59:49

Taipei, Jan. 26 (CNA) The new chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs arrived in Taiwan Saturday for a three-day visit to discuss bilateral ties and trade issues, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said.

Ed Royce (R-Calif.) is leading a U.S. congressional delegation to visit Taiwan, as part of their East Asian trip, the first overseas trip in his new capacity, said the AIT, which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties.

Royce is scheduled to meet with President Ma Ying-jeou, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others, the ministry said.

The 20-member delegation also includes Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), the top Democrat of the House foreign affairs committee, the ministry added.

It is rare that the heads of the Republican and Democratic parties in the committee visit Taiwan simultaneously, the ministry said, adding that this shows the importance of Taiwan-U.S. ties and the U.S. bipartisan support for Taiwan.

Royce succeeded Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida to head the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Ros-Lehtinen is also a long-term outspoken supporter of Taiwan.

(By Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/cs