The US State Department announced on Friday that it would facilitate contacts between US officials and Taiwanese officials, thus braving Chinese pressure amid a period of tension between the two superpowers.
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The United States will continue to recognize Beijing as the legitimate Chinese government, as it has since 1979, but should end the convoluted rules restricting contact with Taipei.
"These new rules relax the guidelines for contacts with Taiwan, in line with our informal relations,"
said Ned Price, spokesman for the State Department.
The decision
“underscores the fact that Taiwan is a living democracy and an important security and economic partner, which is also a force for good in the international community
,” he said.
This measure by President Joe Biden's administration formalizes increasingly ostensible American support for Taiwan, and complies with a law that required a review of directives in the matter.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a scathing critic for Beijing, in January rolled back all restrictions imposed over the years on US officials in their contacts with the island territory, a move hailed by supporters of Taipei but which had caused confusion, as Mike Pompeo had not specified how the old instructions would be replaced.
In a maneuver foreshadowing the new American position, the Biden administration last month let its ambassador to Palau accompany the president of this Pacific archipelago on a visit to Taiwan.
Palau is one of the few countries that continues to recognize Taipei and not Beijing.
Taiwan, which enjoys a democratic system, lives under the constant threat of China, which considers this territory as a rebel province called upon to one day return to its fold, and by force if necessary.
Taiwan has reported increasing intrusions by Chinese planes into its defense air zone.
A US law obliges the United States to help Taiwan defend itself in the event of conflict.