Trump Administration Nearing End of Term "Lifts Restrictions on Taiwan Contacts"... A Blow to China, Which Has Maintained 'One China' Policy

[Image source = Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] The Trump administration, nearing the end of its term, is lifting restrictions that had limited contact between diplomats and officials with Taiwan. This move delivers a significant blow to China, which adheres to the 'One China' policy.

According to foreign media including AFP on the 9th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced in a statement that "the self-imposed restrictions limiting U.S. diplomats and officials from engaging with Taiwanese authorities are being lifted."

Secretary Pompeo stated, "For decades, the State Department has created complex internal regulations to regulate contact between our diplomats, military personnel, and other officials with Taiwanese figures," adding, "We are lifting all these self-imposed restrictions."

He emphasized, "We have unilaterally taken these measures to appease the Chinese Communist regime, but we will no longer do so."

He further added, "Administrative agencies should consider all previous 'contact guidelines' regarding relations with Taiwan, issued by the State Department under the authority delegated to the Secretary of State, as null and void."

In response, the Taiwan Representative Office in the United States welcomed the move, stating it "reflects the strength and depth of our relationship."

[Image source = Screenshot from Secretary Pompeo's SNS]

This measure will once again put pressure on the Chinese authorities, who have long pursued the 'One China' policy. Coincidentally, this comes just over a week before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration and nearly a year after the two countries agreed on the Phase One U.S.-China trade deal.

The Donald Trump administration, even before taking office in January 2017, disregarded the diplomatic norm of 'One China' by accepting calls from the Taiwanese president. Foreign media described this as breaking a protocol that had lasted for decades.

Subsequently, President Trump said, "'One China' depends on better trade negotiations," heightening tensions with Chinese authorities.

Recently, the administration has continued its tough stance on China until the end of its term, including plans to sanction companies closely linked to the Chinese military.

Additionally, news has emerged that Kelly Craft, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, is scheduled to visit Taiwan from the 13th to the 15th, which is expected to further intensify U.S.-China tensions. According to foreign media, this visit is the first in 50 years since Taiwan was excluded from the United Nations in 1971.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, calling it a "violation of the 'One China' principle." It also criticized Secretary Pompeo, saying he is "putting on a final mad show to disrupt China-U.S. relations."

Foreign media reported that the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which originated in Wuhan, China, marked the beginning of deteriorating China-U.S. relations. China's use of the National Security Law to suppress pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong also served as a catalyst for escalating tensions between the two countries.

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