McCaul Returns from Bold Visit to Taiwan
WASHINGTON – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul concluded his third visit to Taiwan. While there, he gave a keynote speech at a forum focused on Indo-Pacific security and met with high-level officials including President Lai, who conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on him for his support of Taiwan. Chairman Emeritus McCaul released the following statement on his trip:
"At a time when the stakes couldn't be higher, I was proud to visit Taiwan for the third time to reaffirm the United States' unwavering support. The increasing belligerence of the Chinese Communist Party poses a direct threat — not only to Taiwan, but to the entire global balance of power. That's why I've been proud to support Taiwan, from championing the 2024 supplemental bill to spearheading AUKUS legislation to bolstering U.S.-Taiwan economic ties. I'm honored to receive the Brilliant Star from President Lai and will continue standing with Taiwan as we pursue a free and democratic future in which peace through strength prevails."
McCaul delivered the keynote speech at Taiwan's Ketagalan Forum, a conference on security across the Indo-Pacific. In his remarks, he emphasized how the U.S. is honoring its commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Click to watch McCaul's keynote speech
Next, McCaul met with President Lai Ching-te, who conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon on him for his support of Taiwan. McCaul previously visited President Lai immediately after his inauguration. In response, the CCP conducted war games around the island throughout that visit and sanctioned McCaul. During this week's meeting, McCaul spoke about how the CCP's aggression has only reinforced his commitment to support a free and peaceful Taiwan.
McCaul receives the Order of Brilliant Star with Special Grand Cordon from President Lai (photos courtesy of the president's office)
McCaul gifts President Lai a Texas A&M baseball jersey in recognition of Taiwan's love of baseball
McCaul also met with Taiwan's Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, who discussed Taiwan's efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its defense technologies.
McCaul with Vice President Hsiao at the Grand Hotel in Taipei
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a luncheon with McCaul, during which he and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung discussed the ties between Texas and Taiwan — particularly Taiwan's recent investments in the semiconductor and technology industries in the Lone Star State.
McCaul with Foreign Minister Lin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
McCaul also met with members of Taiwan's parliament — the Legislative Yuan — and its speaker, President Han Kuo-yu, who presented McCaul with an array of Taiwanese fruits. In the meeting, legislative members discussed Taiwan's recent defense budget and the importance of drone production and coproduction with Taiwan.
McCaul with President Han and other members of the Yuan
Before departing Taiwan, McCaul participated in meetings with Taiwan's National Security Council and Ministry of National Defense to discuss strengthening Taiwan's defenses against the CCP's malign agenda in the region.
He also visited Shield AI, a U.S. drone company operating in Taiwan, and Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). ITRI is the first organization outside the U.S. to certify that its drones contain no parts made in Communist China — a tremendous step toward freedom from CCP influence in their defense industry.
McCaul at the Industrial Technology Research Institute