US Taiwan trip angers China

‘ARROGANT’: ENVOY TO ATTEND TAIWANESE FUNERAL

America defiant and ‘honouring late president’s legacy, building strong bonds’.

Atop US diplomat arrived in Taiwan yesterday, the highest-ranking state department official to visit in 40 years, in a further sign of Washington’s willingness to defy China and its campaign to isolate the self-ruled island.

Keith Krach, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment, is to attend a memorial service for late president Lee Teng-hui tomorrow, the US state department said.

The trip, the second highranking US visit in as many months, sparked an immediate rebuke from China, which baulks at any recognition of Taiwan and has mounted a decades-long policy of marginalising the democratic island.

“China strongly opposes this,” foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters, saying the trip “encourages the arrogant attitude of Taiwan independence separatist forces”.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, to be absorbed into the mainland – by force if necessary.

Relations between the United States and China are at their lowest point in decades, with the two sides clashing over a range of trade, military and security issues, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

“The United States honours President Lee’s legacy by continuing our strong bonds with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy through shared political and economic values,” spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement announcing Krach’s trip.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Krach, accompanied by assistant secretary Robert Destro, would also discuss “how to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation” during his three-day visit.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen will host a dinner for the US delegation today.

“We look forward to more exchanges and discussions between Taiwan and the US to solidify the foundation for further collaborations, including economic cooperation, through Undersecretary Krach’s visit,” her office said in a statement.

Beijing’s relations with the US have sharply deteriorated under President Donald Trump. – AFP