The US says it welcomes Taiwan’s new representative to the US. That was the word from Deputy State Department Spokesman Mark Toner on Tuesday.
Toner said the US welcomes Mr. Kao Suo-tai and congratulates him on his new appointment as head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. Kao will replace current representative Shen Lyu-shun, who will leave his position on June 5.
There has been much talk about President Tsai Ing-wen’s sudden notice to Shen on May 20 that he would be replaced. At the Legislature on Wednesday, foreign minister David Lee said that the switch of representative was made according to legal procedures.
"I think basically the main factor is whether the president trusts the ambassador. If she does, then it would be a totally different situation," said Lee.
Some have commented on the short notice of the personnel change. But Lee said that in the past, he has had to change posts and return to Taiwan within eight days.
Lee also said that this change in personnel will not affect President Tsai Ing-wen’s planned transit in the US during her trip to visit diplomatic allies in June.