Representative to the United States Hsiao Mei-qin (middle) returned to Taiwan to report on her duties. This morning, she went to the Legislative Yuan to have tea with the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee to brief on Taiwan-US relations.

(Photographed by reporter Luo Peide)

[Reporter Lu Yixuan/Taipei Report] Xiao Meiqin, the representative to the United States, returned to Taiwan to report on her duties. This morning, she went to the Legislative Yuan to have a tea meeting with the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee to brief on Taiwan-US relations.

Regarding the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on U.S.-China Strategic Competition intending to visit Taiwan, Xiao Meiqin responded in a joint interview with the media that U.S. congressmen are very concerned about and support Taiwan. In the past year, more than 30 U.S. congressmen visited Taiwan. "I believe it will only increase in the future." .

The details of the visit have not yet been planned, and the representative office in the United States will make the most appropriate arrangements.

Hsiao Mei-qin served as a legislator for 4 terms, and in 2020 she will serve as a representative to the United States. She has been stationed in the United States for nearly 3 years and recently returned to Taiwan for the first time to report on her duties.

Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee convener, DPP legislator Wang Dingyu invited Xiao Meiqin to communicate with the committee today. DPP legislators Zhao Tianlin, Lin Jingyi, He Zhiwei, Kuomintang legislator Jiang Qichen, People's Party legislator Qiu Chenyuan and other ruling and opposition legislators attended enthusiastically. Ke Jianming, chief convener of the Democratic Progressive Party League, also participated.

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Xiao Meiqin emotionally recalled that she had been in the Legislative Yuan for many years, a total of 4 terms, and she was a little timid when she came back today, and she was very happy to see some old colleagues.

She mentioned that she misses the biscuits in the Legislative Yuan, and Mr. Ke prepared frozen ones for her to take away.

Today is her last day in Taiwan, and she will spend Western Valentine's Day on the plane back to the United States. Wang Dingyu also specially prepared a chocolate gift.

Xiao Meiqin explained that today is mainly at the invitation of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee to exchange views on Taiwan-US issues that everyone cares about.

During her stay in Washington, she also received many colleagues from the Legislative Yuan, a total of 8 delegations with 20 person-times. Dean You Xikun only visited the United States last week. Regularly, a delegation from the Legislative Yuan came to Washington to do congressional diplomacy. She would also follow the usual practice. A briefing, explaining the issues that everyone cares about.

The media asked that the newly established US-China Strategic Competition Special Committee of the US House of Representatives is discussing sending a delegation to visit Taiwan within a few months, and does it rule out holding hearings in Taiwan?

Xiao Meiqin expressed that the interest of US congressmen to come to Taiwan is very high. In the past year, more than 30 American congressmen visited Taiwan, and I believe it will only increase in the future.

Members of Congress are very concerned about and support Taiwan, and the representative office in the United States will make appropriate arrangements for individual members of Congress based on their interest in visiting Taiwan.

The media asked, did the opposition party think this visit would be too provocative?

Xiao Meiqin said that the details of the Congressmen's desire to come to Taiwan have not yet begun to be planned. Regarding the opinions of all walks of life in China, the representative office in the United States will further communicate and explain to the delegation of Congressmen to make the most appropriate arrangements.

In addition, is it possible for the President to stop by the United States during his foreign visits in the second half of this year?

As for whether to discuss the general election with Vice President Lai during this trip, Xiao Meiqin reiterated that the time to return to Taiwan this time is very short, and it is in response to official business, exchanging views on Taiwan-US relations and relevant authorities such as economy, trade, foreign affairs, and national defense.

Before the epidemic, it was normal for the president to visit countries with diplomatic relations. It has been a practice in the past, and it will be planned at an appropriate time in the future, but there is currently no definite plan.