Legislative Speaker You meets Pelosi, McCaul in Washington

Washington, May 17 (CNA) Taiwan's visiting Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) met with former United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul separately in Washington D.C. on Wednesday to discuss relations between the two countries and issues of mutual concern.

While the details of Pelosi's meeting with You were not disclosed, a photo posted later on Twitter showed her standing next to You, wearing an enamel pin that he gave her, in solidarity with sanctioned dissidents in China.

The photo, posted by China Aid founder Bob Fu, who accompanied Pelosi to the meeting, also showed her holding a plaque bearing the words "democracy will prevail," which were written in Chinese by You.

Following You's meeting with McCaul alongside other members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, McCaul's office also published a photo of them both.

"I am grateful to have met with Mr. You Si-kun this afternoon and look forward to strengthening our critical partnership and defending democracy on the world stage," McCaul said on the committee's website.

"We discussed the importance of U.S. relations with Taiwan, America's support for the island's vibrant democracy, opportunities to work toward a tax agreement, and expediting military sales to Taiwan."

Earlier Wednesday, You and the Swiss-born, Turkish-raised former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, with the latter wearing a jersey that said "Keep Taiwan Free."

Speaking to reporters at the museum, You praised Kanter for his commitment to freedom and democracy.

You said Kanter has always supported freedom for Taiwan and its people and that he has never regretted that stance, because Kanter thinks Taiwan's democracy must be safeguarded and China's saber rattling is "unacceptable."

"Democracy will prevail if everyone acts like him," You said, referring to Kanter, who had also expressed a wish to visit Taiwan and shake hands with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

Meanwhile, You said, China is suppressing religious and political dissenters in Tibet, and genocide is being carried out in China's autonomous region of Xinjiang.

On Monday, You met with members of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party at the Capitol to discuss common economic and security issues between the two countries.

At the invitation of the Hudson Institute, You is on a week-long visit to the U.S., along with a legislative delegation that includes lawmakers Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠) of Taiwan People's Party and Chiu Hsien-chih (邱顯智) of the New Power Party.