TAIPEI, Reuters – China’s threats to Taiwan only will increase the support from the United States. This was stated by the foreign ministry after China held drills near Taipei as U.S. legislators visited Taipei.

Beijing blamed Bob Menendez (chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee) for provoking tensions by their “provocative” trip. China claims Taiwan has been democratically controlled by it.

Late Friday’s statement by Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned China’s reaction to the “recalcitrant” and absurd two-visit. This was the first visit of a number of U.S. legislators this year.

According to it, “The Chinese Communist Party’s threat of force against Taiwan will only reinforce the Taiwanese will to defend liberty and democracy and will also draw support for democratic Taiwanese from the United States as well other democratic partners.”

According to the ministry, Taiwan will keep enhancing cooperation with other countries like the United States to preserve the Indo-Pacific region’s free and open nature and stop China from “continuous expansion”.

Senator Ben Sasse, one of the six bipartisan lawmakers who visited Taiwan and met President Tsai Ing-wen, said in a statement that China could not bully the United States or its elected representatives.

He stated that the Americans do not like tyrants, but support Taiwan’s freedom-loving citizens.

Taiwan was encouraged by U.S. support for democratically-governed islands. The Biden administration has often spoken of its “rock solid” commitment.

The United States doesn’t have formal diplomatic relations to Taiwan but it is Taiwan’s biggest international supporter. This has caused tensions between the Sino-U.S. relationship.

Taiwan’s government claims that only 23 million residents of Taiwan can determine their future.

Tsai stated that Russia’s invasion in Ukraine was a sign of the danger to democracy from authoritarianism.

“Taiwan is committed to democracy and sovereignty. We stand together with other countries who share the same values, we support each other, our strengths, and help one another,” she stated.