Meantime, as U.S. lawmakers visiting Taiwan vow to bolster the self-governing island's defenses against China.

Their visit comes just days after Beijing surrounded Taiwan with massive military exercises.

And it's the first U.S. visit to Taiwan since the inauguration last week of its new president,

Lei Qingtai.

The Chinese government has already expressed strong opposition to the congressional visit as well.

Everyone here is an important force in friendship with Taiwan to help Taiwan strengthen its self-defense capabilities.

The United States is fully and completely committed to deterrence, to supporting Taiwan militarily, diplomatically, and economically.

Just in the past 24 hours, the military has spotted 21 Chinese military aircraft and 11 ships operating near Taiwan.