TAIPEI (Reuters) – US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar arrived in Taiwan on Sunday as the top US official to visit in four decades, a trip condemned by China claiming the island as its own, Sino-US continues irritating relationships.
PHOTO PHOTO: US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar listens during a round table discussion on “America’s seniors” hosted by US President Donald Trump in the White House Cabinet Room in Washington, USA, June 15, 2020 REUTERS / Leah Millis / File photo
Washington broke official ties with Taipei in 1979 in favor of Beijing. The Trump administration has made strengthening its support for the Democratic island a priority and encouraged arms sales.
Beijing, already arguing with Washington on everything from human rights and trade to the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has threatened unspecified countermeasures against Azar’s visit. China considers Taiwan to be a powerful province, bringing violence under control when necessary.
Azar arrived late in the afternoon at Taipei’s downtown Songshan airport on a U.S. government plane, and was met by Brent Christensen, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, and by Taiwan’s deputy secretary of state. Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang.
In accordance with COVID-19 rules, there were no handshakes and all officials wore masks, including Azar, as seen in images broadcast live on Taiwanese television.
Azar aims to strengthen economic and public health cooperation with Taiwan and support Taiwan’s international role in combating the pandemic.
On Monday, he will sign a health care memorandum of understanding with the Taiwanese government and visit the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control.
He is also scheduled to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen during his visit.
Azar and his team had to be tested for coronavirus before and on arrival. They will have to wear face masks throughout their visit and practice social distance.
Taiwan’s early and effective steps to combat the disease have kept its case numbers much lower than those of its neighbors, with 480 infections, including seven fatalities. Most cases are imported.
The United States has had more cases and deaths with coronavirus than any other country, and wearing masks has become a hot political issue, with some people objecting to what they see as an infringement of personal freedom.
Report by Ben Blanchard; Edited by William Mallard
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