A small congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan last week to assess the defense conditions and operations in Asia. It is remarkable however that prior to the departure, the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC sent an email demanding the trio be canceled. Imagine that… our elected officials are supposed to comply with the Chinese Communist Party and their demands.

In part from Axios:

• Six Republican lawmakers who visited Taiwan earlier this month to meet with Tsai and other Taipei officials faced similar calls from Beijing’s embassy in Washington, per Foreign Policy.
• Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), the House Veterans’ Affairs chair, and leader of the delegation to Taiwan praised Taiwan to Tsai as a “democratic success story, a reliable partner and a force for good in the world,” in comments that are sure to further anger Beijing, per Reuters.

“Under [Tsai’s] administration, the bonds between us are more positive and productive than they have been for decades. Our commitment to Taiwan is rock solid and has remained steadfast as the ties between us have deepened. Taiwan is a democratic success story, a reliable partner, and a force for good in the world.”
— Rep. Takano

The big picture: Takano, Slotkin, and Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC), Colin Allred (D-TX), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) were in Taiwan to discuss matters including regional security, U.S.-Taiwan relations “and other significant issues of mutual interest” with Taipei officials, per a statement from the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto embassy.