House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) greets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on arrival at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for a bipartisan meeting in Simi Valley, Calif., on April 5, 2023.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen addresses to soldiers amid the COVID-19 pandemic during her visit to a military base in Tainan, southern Taiwan, on April 9, 2020.

The island has lost eight diplomatic allies since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen won an election in 2016.

While in Taiwan, she met with several Taiwanese government officials including President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President William Lai.

The incursion followed just days after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen wrote a letter to Pope Francis on Jan. 23, noting that constructive interaction with China is only a possibility if Beijing respects Taiwan’s freedoms and democracy.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said Blackburn was due to meet President Tsai Ing-wen during her trip, which ends on Saturday, as well as top security official Wellington Koo and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

In her national address on Oct 10, President Tsai Ing-wen expressed regrets over China's escalating use of trade restrictions, military intimidation, and diplomatic pressure to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty.

It also noted that Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen stated that "Taiwan is 'an independent country already' so has no need to declare itself an independent state."

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) greets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (L) on arrival at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for a bipartisan meeting in Simi Valley, Calif., on April 5, 2023.

Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, representatives of Taiwan semiconductor manufacturers, academic leaders, and other government officials, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) press release.

Taiwan forces conducted live-fire war games in its biggest annual military exercise on May 25, 2017, presided by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, as the island faces a growing threat from its cross-strait rival China.

"We are aware that the pandemic situation has recently become more serious in China," Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said in her New Year's remarks on Jan. 1.

President Tsai Ing-wen is ineligible for a third term, and William Lai will be the candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The flamboyant businessman Terry Guo again appears to be the lead presidential candidate for the KMT.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during national day celebrations in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei, Taiwan, on Oct. 10, 2021.

The group met Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Aug. 15. (L–R) U.S. Reps. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry Department of North American Affairs Director-General Douglas Hsu, U.S. Rep.

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the move Sunday on Facebook, pledging to assist and protect farmers in the face of "unreasonable market interference.”

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (C) speaks during the National Day in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei, Taiwan, on Oct. 10, 2020.

However, it seems as though the DPP, under its candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, could be increasingly well-placed to take the presidency, replacing President Tsai Ing-wen, who cannot run for a new term.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also attempted to make the case for Taiwan’s membership in the WHO, saying she “hoped that all countries after experiencing this outbreak would better understand Taiwan's capabilities and areas of contribution, to seriously

(Photo by Sam Yeh / AFP) (Photo by SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images) Ahead of Taiwan’s National Day on Oct. 10, some U.S. lawmakers have sent congratulatory letters to President Tsai Ing-wen to express their support.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has confirmed that U.S. troops are deployed on the island. It's the first official public confirmation from Taiwan in 40 years. Popular opinion among Washington bureaucrats has been to refrain from angering the CCP.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) poses for photographs with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, at the president's office in Taipei, Taiwan, on Aug. 3, 2022. (Handout/Getty Images) In assessing her trip, Pelosi declared, "Yes, it was worth it.”

TAIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen had a New Year's message for China on Jan. 1: Military conflict is not the answer.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen speaks about US exports of beef and pork to Taiwan in the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan, on Aug. 28, 2020.

The Chinese regime refuses to recognize the island’s government and has increasingly sought to isolate the administration of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the Ronald Raegan Presidential Library in Semi Valley, Calif., on April 5, 2023.

President Tsai Ing-wen attends a Taiwanese Air Force fighter jets take-off and landing drill, as part of the annual Han Kuang drill, in Pingtung, Taiwan, on Sept. 15, 2021.

The incident came shortly after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said that she ordered "strong countermeasures" against China's ongoing military provocations.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says "external pressure" from China won't stop her from engaging with world leaders after Beijing threatened retaliation if she meets with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calf.).

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told Pope Francis in a Jan. 23 letter that constructive interaction with China can only be guaranteed if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) respects Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.