US Secretary of Health Alex Azar during his visit to Taiwan, August 11, 2020. -
Chiang Ying-ying / AP / SIPA
It is another visit which will once again anger Beijing.
A senior American official will travel to Taiwan for a ceremony on Saturday in tribute to the late ex-President Lee Teng-hui.
This is the second high-ranking visit by the United States, after that of Minister of Health Alex Azar in August.
It is now the turn of Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Keith Krach to visit Taipei.
Don't provoke China too much
In order not to seem to touch it, American diplomacy focuses only its communication on the ceremony on Saturday.
The aim is not to directly provoke China with words.
"The United States pays tribute to President Lee's legacy by perpetuating our strong ties with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy, through shared economic and political values," the US State Department said.
Under Secretary Crach @State_E is on his way to Taiwan to attend the funeral service of Lee Teng-hui.
As Taiwan's first democratically elected president, Lee ushered in a new era of democracy, economic prosperity, openness, and rule of law.
https://t.co/DA9hiS8ZSN
- Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) September 16, 2020
Following Alex Azar's visit, China, which considers Taiwan as one of its provinces, had friends in Washington on guard.
"On issues concerning the fundamental interests of China, some people in the United States should not be deluded and should not play with fire," had criticized Chinese diplomacy, recalling his country's opposition to any official contact between Washington and Taipei "under any pretext whatsoever."
The time is therefore still not for relaxation between the two countries.
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