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United Nations Headquarters in New York City (archive image)
Photo: ANGELA WEISS / AFP
Tensions between China and Taiwan have recently increased.
The ongoing dispute is shown in military threatening gestures, but is also fought out at a high diplomatic level.
Now the USA and Taiwan have discussed the participation of the democratic island state in the United Nations (UN).
"The US representatives reaffirmed the US commitment to meaningful participation by Taiwan in the World Health Organization and the UN Climate Change Convention and discussed ways in which Taiwan can contribute to other issues," said the US State Department at the virtual meeting on Sunday.
The Taiwan State Department thanked the United States for its "determined support."
The deliberations coincide with the 50th anniversary of China's accession to the United Nations.
Taiwan had to give up its seat at the United Nations on October 25, 1971.
Representatives of the country were voted out in favor of China.
The People's Republic regards Taiwan as one of its provinces and therefore China has the sole right to represent Taiwan internationally.
China threatens all states that recognize Taiwan's independence with consequences.
The leadership in Beijing is convinced that the democratically elected government of Taiwan is headed for a formal declaration of independence.
USA is the most important arms supplier for Taiwan
It has therefore increased the pressure on Taiwan and wants to force it to recognize Chinese sovereignty over the territory.
Taiwan, on the other hand, has stated several times that the country is already independent and that it is called the Republic of China.
However, only a few countries recognize Taiwan.
The USA, like many other states, does not maintain any formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan out of consideration for the People's Republic of China.
However, they support the country with military equipment and are its main supplier of armaments.
jok / Reuters
