US spy chief boosts island with rare high-level visit

A top US officer responsible for military intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region has made an unannounced visit to Taiwan, in amove that is certain to infuriate Beijing and heighten tensions over the island. The Chinese foreign ministry vowed to respond to the arrival on Monday of Michael Studeman, a rear admiral and director of intelligence of the US Indo-Pacific Command, saying that it could harden Beijing’s stance toward Taiwan. It is highly unusual for such a senior US officer to visit the island.