McCarthy meeting with Taiwan president despite China warning

The Chinese government had warned McCarthy not to meet with Ing-wen

Published: April 3, 2023 7:23pm

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is scheduled to meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, according to his office.

A group of members of Congress are expected to attend as well.

The Chinese government had warned McCarthy not to meet with Ing-wen. In response, McCarthy said China does not dictate his schedule.

"China can't tell me where or when to go," he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning repeated the warning on Monday, saying that the government opposes official interaction between the U.S. and Taiwan government.

Last week, Xu Xueyuan, charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy in Washington, said the meeting "could lead to serious, serious, serious confrontation in the U.S.-China relationship."

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with Taiwan's president in Taipei in August. China's government also opposed that trip.

Ing-wen is visiting the U.S. and meeting with McCarthy after her trip to Belize.