US, Taiwan seek to expand island’s ‘meaningful participation’ in international community

At a meeting in Taipei, US officials reaffirm support for Taiwan’s ‘valuable expertise’ in addressing ‘urgent challenges’

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The election of William Lai as Taiwan’s president, the third consecutive presidential term for the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, has increased tension between Taipei and Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:40am, 23 Jun 2024Updated: 4:58am, 24 Jun 2024

US and Taiwanese officials held talks in Taipei on expanding the island’s role in international affairs, the US State Department said on Saturday.

“The consultations focused on expanding Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system and other international fora,” the US agency said in a statement. “Taiwan has a demonstrated capability and willingness to help address global issues and support the international community.”

The State Department added that Taiwan has world-class, valuable expertise useful in addressing “urgent challenges”, from international public health and food security to aviation safety and climate change.

“US participants reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing commitment to Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the UN system and the international community, including at the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization,” the agency said in the statement.

The talks on Friday in Taipei included representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (Tecro) in the US, the State Department and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the statement, without disclosing which officials attended.

Washington has supported a role for Taiwan in the UN system and the international community, including at the World Health Organization. China opposes the island’s participation. Photo: Agence France-Presse

AIT is Washington’s de facto embassy in Taiwan and Tecro is Taipei’s de facto embassy in the US.