Taiwan's president mourns death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Sunday expressed his condolences over the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, calling the South Carolina lawmaker "a true friend of Taiwan" and an unwavering defender of freedom.

Graham, a longtime senator and close political ally of President Donald Trump, died Saturday night (U.S. time) at the age of 71 after "a brief and sudden illness," his office said in a statement.

His death came hours after he returned to the United States from meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine on Friday.

"Deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator @LindseyGrahamSC," Lai wrote on the social media platform X. "A true friend of Taiwan, Senator Graham will always be remembered as an unwavering advocate and defender of freedom."

In a separate statement, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said Lai also conveyed his deepest sympathies to Graham's family on behalf of the Taiwanese people.

Kuo said Graham, who had served in the Senate since 2003, had been a steadfast supporter of Taiwan, championing Taiwan-friendly legislation, the country's international participation, stronger self-defense capabilities and closer Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade ties.

She noted that Graham visited Taiwan three times, including in 2022, when he led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Taipei in a show of support.

Lai also thanked Graham for his longstanding contributions to Taiwan-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Kuo said, adding that Taiwan had lost an important friend.