In the midst of the Ukraine invasion, the US delegation expresses its support for Taiwan.
The timing of the former US officials' visit appeared poised to assuage Taipei's fears about its future, with Mullen, a retired admiral who was a top military adviser to former US Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, saying he hoped the visit would "reassure" Taiwan.
Boakyewaa Lawrencia 
While the world's attention is focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a delegation of former US officials has expressed support for another democracy under threat from an authoritarian force.
Former defense and security officials, led by ex-Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen, met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday as part of a two-day visit to the self-ruled island, which has expressed support for Ukraine.
"The people of Taiwan have responded with deep empathy to the Ukrainian people's commitment to protecting freedom and democracy, and their fearless dedication to defending their country, as we, too, stand on the front lines of the battle for democracy," Tsai said in remarks before the meeting on Wednesday.
"History reminds us that turning a blind eye to military aggression only exacerbates the dangers we face. The time has arrived for all democracies throughout the world to unite."
Analysts have drawn parallels between Ukraine's authoritarian menace and Taiwan, which is only 200 kilometers (124 miles) from China's southeastern coast. That threat has been realized in Ukraine as a result of unwarranted military action. In the case of Taiwan, China's governing Communist Party desires eventual "reunification" with the island, which it claims as its territory despite never having administered it.
The timing of the former US officials' visit appeared poised to assuage Taipei's fears about its future, with Mullen, a retired admiral who was a top military adviser to former US Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, saying he hoped the visit would "reassure" Taiwan.
"I do hope by being here with you, we can reassure you and your people, as well as our allies and partners in the region, that the United States stands firm behind its commitments," Mullen said, in an apparent reference to Washington's longstanding support for Taiwan's defense.
"We come to Taiwan at a very difficult and critical moment in world history. As (US) President (Joe) Biden has said, democracy is facing sustained and alarming challenges, most recently in Ukraine. Now more than ever, democracy needs champions."
Taiwan's support for Ukraine
The escalating conflict in Ukraine has loomed large in Taiwanese news coverage and evoked an outpouring of sympathy from the Taiwanese public across the political aisle.
Since last week, dozens of protesters gathered outside Russia's representative office in Taipei on three separate days, waving the Ukrainian flag and placards reading "no war." Skylines in Taiwanese cities were also lit up in blue and yellow -- the colors of Ukraine's flag -- including the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper.
For its part, Tsai's government has swiftly condemned the Russian invasion, while Premier Su Tseng-chang said Tuesday that Taiwan would block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system "in lockstep" with economic penalties imposed by Western countries. They had also sent medical aid to Ukraine, Su said.
According to the government, major Taiwanese chipmakers -- which account for more than half of the world's output of semiconductor chips -- have all pledged to comply with sanctions against Russia.
In comments Wednesday, after meeting with the US delegation, Tsai said Taiwan would set up a donation account for Ukraine and that she, Su, and Vice President William Lai would each donate a month's salary.
'Rock-solid relationship'
Relations between Taipei and Beijing are at their lowest point in decades.
In recent months, China's military has sent record numbers of warplanes into the air around Taiwan while diplomats and state-run media warned of a possible invasion unless the island toes the Chinese Communist Party's line.
Tsai has said Taiwan's military must maintain a high level of vigilance and monitor activities on the Taiwan Strait, in light of security concerns linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which came weeks after a high-profile meeting between the Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The date of the American delegation's visit was "clearly related to the Ukraine situation," according to Wen-Ti Sung, a lecturer in the Australian National University's Taiwan Studies Program, and Mullen's role as its leader signified that defense negotiations would "figure heavily on the agenda."
"At a time when Taiwan is wondering if it will be Ukraine today or Taiwan tomorrow," he added, "the presence of a senior and bipartisan ex-government delegation is here to demonstrate that the United States' security commitment to Taiwan is indeed different and higher than it is to Ukraine."
Taiwan, unlike Ukraine, plays a different role in geopolitics and global supply networks, according to Sung.
"At a time when Taiwan is wondering if it will be Ukraine today or Taiwan tomorrow," he added, "the presence of a senior and bipartisan ex-government delegation is here to demonstrate that the United States' security commitment to Taiwan is indeed different and higher than it is to Ukraine."
Taiwan, unlike Ukraine, plays a different role in geopolitics and global supply networks, according to Sung.
Biden appointed the delegation, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Joanne Ou, and Taiwan's presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang said ahead of the visit that it demonstrates the two countries' "rock-solid" relationship, ", especially at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains severe."
The delegates are also set to meet with Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng in addition to Tsai.
The delegates are also set to meet with Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng in addition to Tsai.
China's reaction
On Tuesday, Beijing slammed the visit, calling it "futile" and urged Washington to "prudently handle Taiwan-related problems" to avoid further deterioration of Sino-US ties.
"The Chinese people's resolve and will to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity are unwavering. It is pointless for the US to send someone to Taiwan to display its ostensible support "In a normal press briefing, spokeswoman Wang Wenbin stated.
Beijing has failed to criticize Russia's attack on Ukraine or to call the country's full-scale assault an "invasion."
On Tuesday, Beijing slammed the visit, calling it "futile" and urged Washington to "prudently handle Taiwan-related problems" to avoid further deterioration of Sino-US ties.
"The Chinese people's resolve and will to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity are unwavering. It is pointless for the US to send someone to Taiwan to display its ostensible support "In a normal press briefing, spokeswoman Wang Wenbin stated.
Beijing has failed to criticize Russia's attack on Ukraine or to call the country's full-scale assault an "invasion."
On February 22, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang denied similarities between the situation in Ukraine and its claims on Taiwan, saying, "I would want to underscore that there is only one China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."
Mainland Since the vanquished Nationalists retreated to the island after the Chinese civil war ended more than 70 years ago, China and Taiwan have been governed independently.
When the US recognized Beijing's government in 1979, it ended its formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. However, the US has maintained an unofficial relationship with Taipei, which includes visits from delegations made up of retired officials or lawmakers and is required by law to sell arms to Taiwan for self-defense.
Mainland Since the vanquished Nationalists retreated to the island after the Chinese civil war ended more than 70 years ago, China and Taiwan have been governed independently.
When the US recognized Beijing's government in 1979, it ended its formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. However, the US has maintained an unofficial relationship with Taipei, which includes visits from delegations made up of retired officials or lawmakers and is required by law to sell arms to Taiwan for self-defense.
Tsai became the first Taiwan President in decades to recognize the existence of US troops on the island for training purposes in an exclusive interview with CNN in October, but she stressed the number was "not as numerous as people thought."
The latest visit comes after the US approved the sale of military equipment and services to Taiwan for an estimated US$100 million last month.
The latest visit comes after the US approved the sale of military equipment and services to Taiwan for an estimated US$100 million last month.
