TAIPEI, Taiwan: In defiance of China, the governor of Indiana became the latest US official to visit Taiwan, when he arrived on August 21.

China has long claimed Taiwan as its own territory and frequently threatens the island's independence in word and with military maneuvers.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb follows the recent visit by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and, later, another group of U.S. lawmakers.

Holcomb tweeted that his Asian visit will also include a stop in South Korea.

Holcomb said he would meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei.

"I'm energized to spend this week building new relationships, reinforcing long time ones and strengthening key sector partnerships with Taiwan and South Korea," Holcomb tweeted.

Holcomb described the trip to Asia as an "economic development trip", noting that he is the first U.S. governor to visit Taiwan since the Covid pandemic struck worldwide over two years ago.

"Our delegation will spend this week meeting with government officials, business leaders and academic institutions to further strengthen Indiana's economic, academic and cultural connections with Taiwan and South Korea," Holcomb tweeted.

China has yet to respond to Holcomb's arrival in Taiwan.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry has said that Holcomb's visit would include meetings with representatives from Taiwanese semiconductor companies.

The world's largest contact chip maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, is currently building a $12 billion plant in the U.S. state of Arizona.