China must 'pay price' for Russia backing, says US senator in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Apr 15 (AFP): China must pay a greater price for backing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a senior United States senator said Friday, during a trip to Taiwan in which American lawmakers vowed that Washington would not abandon the island.
Beijing threatened "strong measures" in response to the delegation led by Lindsey Graham, a vocal China hawk, and announced Friday the People's Liberation Army (PLA) staged drills around Taiwan and in the East China Sea.
China has never controlled democratic Taiwan but it views the island as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.
Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine-which Beijing has refused to condemn-has heightened fears that China might one day follow through on threats to annex its smaller neighbour.
During a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen, Graham said the United States would "stand for what we love, we would stand with you".
"To abandon Taiwan would be to abandon democracy and freedom... it would reward the worst in humanity."