Bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers touch down in Taiwan for surprise visit

A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers touched down in Taiwan for an unannounced visit on Thursday.

The group is the latest batch of officials to flout China's demands that the U.S. cut ties with the self-governed island. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a major critic of China, led the delegation, which included four other members of Congress.

"The United States, Democrats and Republicans, stands with Taiwan, for your freedom and for ours," Gallagher said at a press conference during the visit. "For as Taiwan goes, so goes the world."

The group met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen, who told them she hoped to see further interaction between U.S. and Taiwan officials.