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Taipei, Jan.21 (CNA) Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), attended President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, making her the first Taiwanese dignitary to receive an official invitation to Such an occasion since the countries broke ties in 1979.
According to a press release issued by the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday evening, Hsiao was invited by the Joint US Congress Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) to attend the 59th Ceremony of US Presidential Inauguration, on behalf of the government of the ROC (Taiwan). .
The JCCIC is a special joint committee formed every four years in accordance with the United States Constitution to plan and execute the inaugural ceremonies of the president-elect and vice-president-elect of the United States on Capitol Hill.
In a video clip posted on Facebook, Hsiao said she was honored to attend the event on behalf of the Taiwanese people and government, adding that she looks forward to working with the Biden administration to promote the mutual values and interests of Taiwan and the Taiwanese government. . US
Observers in Taiwan view the attendance of a Taiwanese delegation to the US presidential inauguration as an important indicator of US-Taiwan relations, due to the complicated tripartite relations between Washington, Taipei and Beijing.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any interaction by the international community with Taiwan that can be seen as recognition of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
The United States, which has formal ties to China, maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan.
Due to the lack of formal relations with the US, Taiwan’s foreign mission to the country, headed by Hsiao, is designated as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representation Office (TECRO), rather than being called an embassy.
Although this is not the first time that a Taiwanese representative to the US or a delegation from Taiwan has attended a US presidential inauguration, past Taiwanese attendees obtained their entry tickets courtesy of US lawmakers, according to one source familiar with the matter.
This is the first time a Taiwanese guest has received an invitation from the JCCIC since 1979, when the United States severed formal ties with Taiwan, the source said, adding that it demonstrates the close and friendly relationship between Taiwan and the Biden administration.
It also shows that maintaining the relationship is a trend that has bipartisan support in the United States, the source said.
The inauguration was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and members of the United States Congress were only allowed to have one guest, making it difficult for Taiwan to participate on the occasion, the source said.
However, Hsiao received the invitation from the JCCIC last week, the source said.
