The US Home of Representatives Choose Committee on China is discussing whether or not it ought to ship a congressional delegation to Taiwan regardless of realizing that such a transfer would possible rile up Beijing, Nikkei reported on Sunday, citing an American lawmaker.

Congressman Rob Wittman (R-Virginia), who sits on the Choose Committee on the Strategic Competitors Between the US and the Chinese language Communist Celebration, informed the Japanese outlet that a number of the panel’s members are exploring the potential for visiting the self-governed island in a present of assist.

Wittman conceded that such a visit would “infuriate the Chinese language.” Beijing considers the island an inalienable a part of its territory.

“However I believe it’s extremely necessary for us to try this, as a result of it’s a must to ship the sign that we’re strongly on the facet of Taiwan,” he defined.

The committee on China, which was established only a month in the past after the Republicans took over the Home following the midterm elections, seeks to reply to what the US regards as mounting challenges from Beijing in numerous fields, together with nationwide safety, commerce, and the financial system.

Speaking to Nikkei, Wittman famous that the delegation might maintain a subject listening to in Taiwan ought to the journey happen.

In January, US media reported that new Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy might go to the island as early as this spring.

China’s International Ministry warned Washington in opposition to such steps, whereas urging “sure people within the US to earnestly abide by the One China precept.” McCarthy responded by saying “I don’t suppose China can inform me the place I can go, at any time, at anywhere.”

Tensions between the US and China have been on the rise since August, when McCarthy’s predecessor, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visited Taiwan regardless of objections from Beijing. The transfer put a big pressure on Sino-US ties, with Beijing slamming the go to as “extraordinarily harmful” and describing it as a menace to regional stability.

Since then, a number of US congressional delegations have visited the island, prompting outcry from China.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be sovereign Chinese language territory underneath its One China coverage. The island has been dominated by nationalists since 1949, once they fled the mainland with US assist after shedding the Chinese language Civil Warfare to the communists.