White House Sending Unofficial Delegation to Taiwan Inauguration
Unofficial U.S. Delegation to Attend Taiwan Presidential Inauguration, Angers China
The White House has announced that an unofficial U.S. delegation will be sent to Taiwan this weekend for the inauguration of the island’s newly elected president, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party. This move is expected to upset China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any official contact between Washington and Taipei.
The delegation includes two former senior officials and a scholar, and they will be in Taipei to represent the American people. Despite not having formal relations with Taiwan, the U.S. is the island’s strongest ally and is obligated to help Taiwan protect itself from invasion.
China has warned the U.S. not to meddle in Taiwan’s affairs, and tensions between the two countries have been high over issues such as trade, cybersecurity, and human rights. The Biden administration has been engaging in intense diplomacy with China in an effort to prevent further escalation.
This latest move comes after President Joe Biden sent a delegation to Taiwan shortly after Lai was elected in January, drawing protests from Beijing. Plans are also underway for a congressional delegation to visit Taiwan after the inauguration.
Beijing has reiterated its claim over Taiwan and has criticized the U.S. for its support of the island. The U.S. Navy recently conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait, further increasing tensions between the two powers.
In response to Taiwan’s global recognition efforts, Beijing has stated that it will not agree to Taiwan’s participation in this year’s World Health Assembly, which could boost Taiwan’s visibility on the world stage. The Chinese government has accused Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party of seeking independence and has vowed to bar the island from international organizations.
The bipartisan delegation that the White House is sending to Taiwan includes Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan, Brian Deese, a former director of the National Economic Council, Richard Armitage, a former deputy secretary of state, and Richard Bush, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
The Biden administration’s decision to send this delegation is likely to further strain relations with China, but it also underscores the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Taiwan and its democratic government.