Being sanctioned by China after Taiwan visit is 'badge of honor': McCaul
ROC Central News Agency
04/14/2023 12:20 PM
Washington, April 13 (CNA) United States House Representative Michael McCaul said Thursday that China's sanctions against him in the wake of his recent visit to Taiwan were a "badge of honor."
China announced the sanctions on Wednesday, barring McCaul from obtaining a visa or entering the country, freezing any property he might have there, and prohibiting individuals and organizations there from doing business with him.
The sanctions were imposed after McCaul, who chairs the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, led an eight-member delegation on a visit to Taiwan April 6-8, during which he met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃), and executives of Taiwanese semiconductor companies.
According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. congressman and his delegation had "sneaked about" in Taiwan, "seriously violating" Beijing's "one China" principle and the Three Communiques, "seriously compromising" China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sending a "seriously wrong" message to Taiwan independence advocates.
In a statement on Thursday, however, McCaul said the sanctions had served only to highlight the current geopolitical issues and the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) pugnacity.
"Ironically, this baseless action serves U.S. interests by bringing more attention to our international partners and revealing the CCP's blatant aggression," said McCaul, a Republican representative from the state of Texas, who has been vocal in his support for Taiwan.
"Being sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party is a badge of honor," he said. "Nothing will deter the United States from supporting free, democratic nations -- including Taiwan."
(By Chiang Chin-yeh and Sean Lin)
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