US sending highest rep to Taiwan since 1979 break in ties

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is scheduled to visit Taiwan in coming days in the highest-level visit by an American Cabinet official since the break in formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei in 1979.

The American Institute in Taiwan, which operates as Washington’s de facto embassy on the island, said Wednesday that Azar’s “historic visit will strengthen the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and enhance U.S-Taiwan cooperation to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic.”.

The ministry said Azar would meet with with Taiwan’s independence-minded President Tsai Ing-wen, with whose government Beijing cut off virtually all contacts four years ago, along with Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and top health officials.

AIT said Azar in his meetings would be discussing the disease, global health and Taiwan’s role as a supplier of medical equipment and technology.

“Taiwan has been a model of transparency and cooperation in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic and long before it,” Azar said in the AIT statement.

“This trip represents an opportunity to strengthen our economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan, especially as the United States and other countries work to strengthen and diversify our sources for crucial medical products.”.