Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday declined to “get into hypotheticals” when asked if the U.S. would respond militarily “if China does try something in Taiwan,” but stressed that there has been a longstanding U.S. commitment to Taiwan’s defense, and “it would be a serious mistake for anyone to try to change the existing status quo by force.”
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The proposed money would significantly bolster education, health research and fighting climate change. In the House, Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida faces an ethics panel inquiry into sexual misconduct allegations.
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President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during a White House appearance on Thursday.Credit.Amr Alfiky/The New York Times
President Biden proposed a vast expansion of federal spending on Friday, calling for a 16 percent increase in domestic programs as he tries to harness the governmentâs power to reverse what officials called a decade of underinvestment in the nationâs most pressing issues.
US eases limits on Taiwan contacts
‘IMPORTANT PARTNER’: The new guidelines aim to encourage US engagement with Taiwan, which reflects a deepening relationship, the US Department of State said
By Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporter
The US Department of State on Friday issued new guidelines governing US officials’ interactions with their Taiwanese counterparts, a move welcomed by Taipei as turning a new page in bilateral relations.
Shortly before leaving office, then-US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Jan. 9 announced the cancelation of previous contact guidelines, which he said were “self-imposed restrictions” that attempted to appease the Chinese Communist Party regime in Beijing.
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New State Department Policy Encourages Stronger Ties With Taiwan Officials The Biden administration is boosting ties with Taipei to counter China
On Friday, the State Department announced a new policy to “encourage” more contacts between US and Taiwanese officials as the Biden administration is looking to deepen ties with Taipei as part of its strategy to counter China, picking up where the Trump administration left off.
“The Department of State has issued new guidelines for US government interaction with Taiwan counterparts to encourage US government engagement with Taiwan that reflects our deepening unofficial relationship,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
U.S. issues new guidelines for interactions with Taiwan officials
04/10/2021 01:52 PM
The Twin Oaks. CNA file photo
Washington, April 9 (CNA) The U.S. State Department said Friday it has issued new guidelines for government contacts with Taiwan, which it said will encourage closer engagement and reflect the two sides deepening bilateral relationship.
The new guidelines, which were circulated within government agencies but not released to the public, reportedly allow U.S. officials to hold regular meetings with Taiwanese counterparts, including at Taiwan s representative offices in the U.S.
The policy will also allow officials to participate in meetings at the Twin Oaks, the former residence of Taiwanese ambassadors to the U.S. which is now used for official functions, though they will not be able to attend celebrations of Double Ten National Day and other Taiwanese holidays.