US lawmakers make surprise visit to Taiwan to signal support against China

TAIPEI — Six U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan’s leader on Friday to show their support for the island’s democracy, in a surprise trip that signals more tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The six-strong delegation led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., SC) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D., NJ) blasted Beijing for what it described as China’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The visit prompted a military response and angry words from Beijing.