Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has begun a visit to Taiwan, following two recent high-profile visits by U.S. politicians that drew Beijing's ire and Chinese military drills.
Holcomb’s visit will focus on economic exchanges, particularly semiconductors, and the Republican governor is meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. His visit comes at a particularly tense time for Taiwan, China and the U.S. after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited earlier this month.
China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and views any exchanges with foreign governments as an infringement on its claim.
In response to Pelosi’s visit, China’s military held exercises that included firing missiles over the island and sailing warships across the midline of the Taiwan Strait.