Taiwan is confident it can sign a trade deal with Washington, its leader told visiting US lawmakers Thursday, adding that the island "will not back down" against Chinese threats.

Washington unveiled plans for formal trade talks with Taiwan in a show of support as China was staging huge military drills last month.

Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims the democratically ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day -- by force if necessary.

Beijing lashes out at any diplomatic action that seems to treat Taiwan as a sovereign nation, and has reacted with growing anger to visits by Western politicians.

Last month's drills were in protest at US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

While meeting the bipartisan US delegation, Tsai pledged to work with Washington to promote closer trade ties.

"We are confident that through this initiative, we can sign a high-standard trade agreement and advance bilateral trade development," she said.

Representative Stephanie Murphy, a Democrat from Florida, urged Congress to "deepen economic relationship with Taiwan, in particular by pushing for a high quality Free Trade Agreement between the US and Taiwan".

China's unprecedented drills triggered widespread support in the United States for solidarity with Taiwan, which already has rare bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

So far this year 28 members of Congress have travelled to Taiwan, the highest number since at least 2013, according to data from Bloomberg News.

Last week the US announced a $1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, vowing to keep boosting the island's defenses.

Many European powers have also grown more vocal in support of Taiwan in recent years, while Russia invading Ukraine has deepened fears China might do the same to its neighbour.

A group of French lawmakers landed in Taiwan on Wednesday, the first high-level European delegation since the recent Chinese drills.

"We consider Taiwan as a partner for stability in the (Indo-Pacific) region," said Senator Cyril Pellevat, who led the delegation.

Beijing has adopted an increasingly bellicose approach to Taiwan under President Xi Jinping, China's most authoritarian leader in a generation.

Xi, who is on the cusp of securing an unprecedented third term, has hitched Taiwan's fate to his landmark "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" policy.

Tsai remained defiant, saying "Taiwan will not bow to pressure or coercion".

"We will defend our democratic institutions and way of life. Taiwan will not back down," she told the US delegation.

French lawmakers visit Taiwan after China's war drill threats
Taipei (AFP) Sept 7, 2022 - A group of French lawmakers landed in Taiwan on Wednesday, the first high-level European delegation since China conducted huge war drills to protest a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The trip came as Taiwan held two days of live fire drills on a strategic island that lies between its coast and China.

Taiwan is under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be seized one day.

Beijing lashes out at any diplomatic action that might lend Taiwan legitimacy, and has responded with growing anger to visits by Western officials and politicians.

The delegation of five French lawmakers is being led by Senator Cyril Pellevat, Taiwan's foreign ministry said, adding it was the fourth visit by French politicians in the past 12 months.

Last month, China sent warships, missiles and fighter jets into the waters and skies around Taiwan in a show of opposition to Pelosi's presence -- its largest and most aggressive exercises since the mid-1990s.

Pelosi, a veteran Beijing critic, was the most senior US politician to visit Taiwan in 25 years. She was followed by multiple separate US delegations in August.

Another US delegation, this one of congressional representatives, will visit the island from September 7-9, the American Institute in Taiwan -- Washington's de facto embassy on the island -- said Wednesday.

China's huge war drills triggered widespread support in the United States for solidarity with Taiwan, which already has rare bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

Many European powers have also grown more vocal in support of Taiwan in recent years, while Russia invading Ukraine has deepened fears China might do the same to its neighbour.

Politicians from European countries regularly visit the island.

Beijing has adopted an increasingly bellicose approach to Taiwan under President Xi Jinping, China's most authoritarian leader in a generation.

Xi, who is on the cusp of securing an unprecedented third term, has hitched Taiwan's fate to his landmark "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" policy.

Like most nations, the United States and France officially recognise Beijing over Taipei.

But they both remain key allies of Taiwan and maintain de facto diplomatic ties with the island.

Washington's official policy opposes both Taiwan declaring independence and China forcibly changing the island's status.

- 'Prepare but not seek war' -

On Tuesday, Taiwanese troops carried out dramatic nighttime live fire drills on the island of Pingtung, which lies between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and which would need to be seized in any invasion.

Tanks were illuminated by sudden flashes of flame as they fired shells while tracer rounds arced across the night sky.

"We will prepare for war but will not seek war," Huang Jing-feng, Battalion Commanding Officer, told reporters.

"We will carry on training to elevate each soldier's combat skills."

The drills continued Wednesday -- with tanks, combat helicopters and mobile missile launchers conducting firing exercises.

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