TAIPEI, May 27 (Reuters) - A senior U.S. lawmaker visiting Taipei on Monday said China's "intimidating" military exercises after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's inauguration demonstrated China was not interested in taking Taiwan by peaceful means.

The remarks by Michael McCaul, the Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, were carried live on television from Taiwan's presidential office. "America is and always will be a reliable partner and no amount of coercion or intimidation will slow down or stop the routine visits by the Congress to Taiwan," said McCaul.

(Reporting by Fabian Hamacher; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Sonali Paul)