Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott have met Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in Houston to discuss ties and furthering economic cooperation between "our two nations", infuriating Beijing which warned against "undermining" China-US relations by such actions.
Cruz and Abbott, both senior leaders from US President- elect Donald Trump's Republican Party, met Tsai, despite prior warning by China against any US leaders or officials meeting the Taiwanese leader, who was passing through Houston on her way to Central America.
Beijing considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province to be brought back within its fold, by force if necessary. China is opposed to any official contact between foreign governments with the leaders of the self-governing island.
Cruz said that during his meeting with Tsai, they "discussed our mutual opportunity to upgrade the stature of our bilateral relations" in a talk that addressed arms sales, diplomatic exchanges and economic relations.
"Furthering economic cooperation between our two nations must be a priority; increased access to Taiwanese markets will benefit Texas farmers, ranchers and small business owners alike," Cruz, who had lost to Trump in the Republican primary elections, said in a statement.
"The US-Taiwan relationship is not on the negotiating table. It is bound in statute and founded on common interests. I look forward to working with President Tsai to strengthen our partnership," he added.
A separate statement from Abbott said he and Tsai discussed energy, trade relations and commercial ties between Taiwan and Texas. He said they talked about "how our two economies can expand upon our already prosperous trade partnership."
Senator Cruz said in his news release that shortly before his meeting with Tsai, the Houston congressional delegation had received a "curious" letter from the Chinese Consulate asking members of Congress not to meet with Tsai and to uphold the 'One China policy."
"The People's Republic of China needs to understand that in America we make decisions about meeting with visitors for ourselves," the Republican Senator said.
"The Chinese do not give us veto power over those with whom they meet. We will continue to meet with anyone, including the Taiwanese, as we see fit."
This is the second time Republicans are angering China within a month. Chinese officials had voiced their strong objection to Trump speaking to Tsai in early December, which Beijing said breached diplomatic protocol. Trump had rattled China when he questioned a US policy that since 1979 has recognised Beijing as China's government and maintains only unofficial ties with Taiwan.
Meanwhile, in Beijing, China today reaffirmed its opposition to any contacts between US officials and Taiwan's government.
"Such contacts threaten to disturb and undermine relations between Washington and Beijing," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said and asked Washington to abide by the 'One China' policy and "prudently handle" Taiwan-related issues.
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China's state-run Global Times newspaper said Beijing would take a hard line toward any contacts between Taiwan's government and the incoming Trump administration.
China "should also impose military pressure on Taiwan and push it to the edge of being reunified by force," the ruling Communist Party-published paper had said in an editorial published yesterday.
Beijing was "fully prepared" to break ties with the US should Trump abandon the policy, newspaper, which often takes a nationalistic tone, said.
"If Trump reneges on the One China policy after taking office, the Chinese people will demand the government to take revenge. There is no room for bargaining," the editorial said.
Trump has vowed to get tough with China over unfair Chinese trade practices and has even suggested that the 'One China' policy could become a bargaining chip with Beijing in other disputes.
Taiwanese President Tsai is slated to again make a stopover in the US in San Francisco next weekend while on her return to Taipei.
