US-Taiwan Hygiene Sector MOU Signed... China Military Demonstration

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Meets with President Tsai Ing-wen
2 Chinese Fighter Jets Violate Taiwan Airspace

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Taiwanese media reported that the United States and Taiwan will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the health sector. Since the severance of diplomatic relations in 1979, whenever high-ranking officials visited Taiwan, the Chinese government strongly protested with military demonstrations.

According to Taiwanese media including Apple Daily on the 10th, Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, visited Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare in the afternoon and is reported to sign the "American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) Health Cooperation MOU."

Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), Minister of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, mentioned that they would discuss topics such as medical health and supplies.

Secretary Azar visited the Presidential Office of Taiwan in the morning and met with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

At the meeting with the U.S. delegation, President Tsai said, "I am grateful that U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recognized Taiwan's contributions and supported Taiwan's international participation." She also added that she believes breakthroughs will be made not only in quarantine measures such as vaccines and medicines but also in exchanges in other fields.

Secretary Azar responded, "It is an honor to deliver President Trump's strong message of support and friendship for Taiwan here."

The Chinese government strongly protested the meeting on the same day. Zhao Lijian (趙立堅), spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing, "China has consistently opposed official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan," and "China has already lodged a stern representation with the United States."

Spokesperson Zhao emphasized again, "The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations," and stressed, "The One-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relations."

China also conducted a military demonstration on the same day.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced that in the morning, Chinese J-11 and J-10 fighter jets crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and briefly entered Taiwan's airspace. This is the third time Chinese fighter jets have crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, following incidents in March last year and February this year.

Taiwan responded immediately. The Taiwanese military entered a surface-to-air missile alert status, and Taiwanese military aircraft were urgently dispatched to issue warning broadcasts, according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.

The Ministry of National Defense explained, "Chinese fighter jets deliberately violated the Taiwan Strait, seriously undermining regional stability," and added, "The Taiwanese military fully controls the situation in the surrounding sea and airspace of the Taiwan Strait and has responded appropriately to changes in the enemy's situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.