US stands by Taiwan, envoy says soon after cancelled trip
14 January, 2021
The United States stands by Taiwan and always will, the US ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft said on Wednesday (Jan 12) following a call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, after her own visit to Taipei this week got scrapped.
Craft's planned check out had come in the teeth of strong objections from China which opinions the island while its own territory.
But the trip was cancelled by the STATE DEPT. as part of a bar on all travel and leisure ahead of the transition to the incoming Biden administration.
Craft, who is because of leave the part when Joe Biden assumes the presidency next week, wrote on Twitter that it was a "great privilege" to speak with Tsai.
"We discussed the countless ways Taiwan is usually a model for the environment, just as demonstrated by its victory in fighting COVID-19 and all that Taiwan provides in the areas of wellbeing, technology and cutting-edge technology," she said.
"Unfortunately, Taiwan struggles to show those successes found in UN venues, like the World Health Assembly, consequently of PRC obstruction," Craft added, discussing the People's Republic of China.
"I clarified to President Tsai that the US stands with Taiwan and generally will, as good friends and partners, position shoulder to shoulder as pillars of democracy."
Craft's visit could have been highly symbolic seeing that Taiwan is not a UN member because of China's objections. Beijing says just it has the right to speak for Taiwan on the globe level, something Taipei's democratically-elected government rejects.
Taiwan's presidential office explained Tsai and Clark possessed reviewed the island's international participation, Taiwan-US ties and the "posting of democratic ideals".
It added that David Feith, Deputy US Assistant Secretary of Condition for East Asian and Pacific Affairs was as well on the call.
Beijing has been angered by stepped-up support for Taiwan from the administration of outgoing President Donald Trump, including excursions to Taipei by top US officials, further straining Sino-US ties.
US Secretary of Status Mike Pompeo on Saturday said he was lifting limitations on contacts between US officials and their Taiwanese counterparts.
Craft's Taiwan trip were another portion of an attempt by Pompeo and Trump's Republican administration to lock in a tough approach to China before Democratic President-elect Biden takes office on Jan 20.
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