Kevin McCarthy To Meet Taiwan President Even As China Says US Is 'Playing With Fire…'

Defying Xi Jinping's dire warnings, U.S. House speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed that he would meet Taiwanese President Tsai Ing Wen in California on Wednesday.

What Happened: McCarthy’s office on Monday confirmed the "bipartisan" meeting would take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, just outside Los Angeles.

The Taiwanese president will be in the U.S. for a brief stopover upon her return from Central America, where she has met the leaders of Guatemala and Belize — after longtime ally Houndras parted ways.

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As the U.S., like most countries, doesn't have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan due to its disputed status, Taiwanese presidents routinely pass through the U.S. and engage in high-level meetings instead of formal visits.

Meanwhile, The charge d'affaires of China's embassy to the U.S., Xu Xueyuan, told reporters that Washington risked "serious confrontation" no matter whether U.S. leaders visited Taiwan or the reverse.

"The US keeps saying that transit is not a visit and that there are precedents, but we should not use past mistakes as excuses for repeating them today," she said, urging Washington "not to repeat playing with fire on the Taiwan question."

Last week on arrival in New York, Tsai was greeted by flag-waving Taiwanese expatriates as she addressed a gathering. "We have demonstrated a firm will and resolve to defend ourselves, that we are capable of managing risks with calm and composure and that we have the ability to maintain regional peace and stability," Tsai said. 

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