WASHINGTON: The State Department said on Friday it would make it easier for US officials to meet Taiwanese representatives, defying pressure from China amid high tensions.

The United States will still consider only Beijing as China’s legitimate government, consistent with its switch of recognition in 1979, but will do away with some of the convoluted rules that restricted contacts with Taiwan.

“The guidance underscores Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and an important security and economic partner that is also a force for good in the international community,” State Depart­ment spokesman Ned Price said. “These new guidelines liberalise guidance on contacts with Taiwan, consistent with our unofficial relations,” he said.

The move by President Joe Biden’s administration formalises increasingly vocal US support for Taiwan and comes in response to an act of Congress that required a review.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2021