US House leader and Taiwan president unite against China in high-stakes meetings.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy presented a united front in California against China, defying Beijing's threats. The meeting highlighted the strengthening ties between Taipei and Washington, even though they remain unofficial in nature. Beijing sees Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and has vowed to "reunite" the island with mainland China, by force if necessary. Taiwan has steadily built its international influence by expanding unofficial relationships with friendly Western nations while emphasizing shared values in maintaining its ties with official allies.