US mission hosts Taiwan envoy in Netherlands after curbs on ties lifted
Taiwan’s representative in the Netherlands has visited the US ambassador at the American mission there, in the first official interaction since Washington upgraded relations with the self-ruled Chinese island in defiance of Beijing.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Saturday that the “self-imposed” bans on meetings with Taiwanese officials had been lifted.
US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra then hosted Chen Hsing-hsing at the US Embassy in the Netherlands on Monday, the US envoy announced on Twitter.
“Made some history today: Welcomed Taiwan Representative Chen to our Embassy,” he wrote, including pictures of the two of them in the embassy building.
“Glad that our @StateDept colleagues around the world will now be able to host our friends from this vibrant democracy on our Embassy grounds,” he added.
The Taiwanese representative also tweeted she was extremely pleased and honored to visit the embassy, saying it was “the very first time in my diplomatic career.”
Beijing has repeatedly warned Washington against official relations with Taiwan, over which China has sovereignty.
Under the “One China” policy, almost all world countries, including the US, recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan and are not allowed to have formal relations with Taipei.
But US President Donald Trump’s administration has constantly supported the island’s secessionist president Tsai Ing-wen and provided her government with weapons over the past years.
Pompeo’s announcement, which came in the final days of the Trump administration, sparked anger in China, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warning Washington of “severe punishment.”
“Any action that harms China’s core interests will receive a resolute counterstrike from China,” Zhao said on Monday.
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