US to end self-imposed restrictions on contact with Taiwan

The United States ends restrictions on contact with Taiwan. Decades ago, according to Secretary of State Pompeo, the United States imposed the restrictions on itself to please the Communist government in China. “It’s over,” said Pompeo’s statement.

The minister spoke of “complex restrictions” in contacts between diplomats, soldiers and other Taiwanese and American officials. For example, Taiwanese officials were not allowed to enter the US State Department building. Meetings were therefore held in hotels.

The Chinese government regards Taiwan as a renegade province of the People’s Republic. Beijing is trying to keep the country isolated from the rest of the world, including asking other countries not to maintain official contacts with the Taipei government.

Main ally

Washington is Taiwan’s most important ally as a lender and supplier of arms. Tensions between China and the United States have not subsided under Trump’s presidency, in part because of the Taiwan issue. It was recently announced that the US ambassador to the UN would be visiting Taiwan next week, again drawing heavy criticism from Beijing.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that some “anti-Chinese politicians” would do everything possible to undermine relations between China and the United States towards the end of their term. In a week and a half in the United States, power will be handed over to Joe Biden and his government.