US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that Health Secretary Alex Azar’s upcomng visit to Taiwan is in line with US policy. Azar is set to visit Taiwan Sunday.
Pompeo said Wednesday that the trip carries significance, as Azar will discuss public health issues with Taiwan, including Taiwan’s success in keeping COVID-19 at bay. Pompeo also said that Washington hopes Taiwan will be able to take part in the World Health Assembly, though previous bids have been blocked by China.
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Azar said that Washington and Taipei have maintained a long-term partnership, especially in the area of public health. Azar also said that Taiwan has always been transparent and cooperative, and that it has done well in tackling COVID-19.
On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said that Taiwan welcomes the visit of Azar and his delegation.
China is opposed to Azar’s planned trip, but Ou said that China has no right to interfere in Taiwan’s diplomacy. She said it’s natural for Taiwan to deepen ties with the United States and other countries that share Taiwan’s values, because Taiwan is an independent sovereignty. (MORE)
Ou also called China a global troublemaker. She said China’s cover-up of the initial outbreak of COVID-19 last December has led to the deaths of over 700,000 and the infection of 18 million worldwide.