US lawmakers touch down in Taiwan for five-day visit, defying China

A bipartisan congressional delegation is in Taiwan ​this week — the latest show of defiance to Beijing as tensions linger over the Chinese spy balloon that flew over much of the United States earlier this month. 

The group — composed of Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna of California, Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts and Jonathan Jackson of Illinois as well as Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas — arrived Sunday for a five-day visit to the self-ruled island.  

The four are expected to meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, members of the legislature and a number of business executives, including Morris Chang, founder of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. ​

Khanna, whose district includes Silicon Valley, said he was interested in learning more about the country’s ​work with semiconductors. He and Auchincloss are also members of the newly formed House select committee on China.