TAIWAN INVITED TO EVENT FIRST TIME SINCE 1979

Taipei, Jan. 21: Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the US was formally invited to President Joe Biden's inauguration in what Taipei on Thursday said was a precedent-setting first since Washington switched recognition to Beijing in 1979.

Hsiao Bi-khim, Taipei's envoy, posted a video of herself at Wednesday's inauguration saying she was “honoured to represent the people and government of Taiwan here at the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris.”

“Democracy is our common language and freedom is our common objective,” she added.

Taipei's foreign ministry said it was the first time in decades a Taiwanese envoy had been “formally invited” by the inauguration's organising committee.