US health chief conveys Trump's message of support to Taiwan amid tensions with China
Iran Press TV
Monday, 10 August 2020 5:35 AM
The US health secretary – the most senior official to travel to Taiwan in four decades – has conveyed President Donald Trump's message of "strong support" to the self-ruled island's leader, Tsai Ing-wen, during a visit sharply condemned by mainland China.
US Health Secretary Alex Azar held a meeting with Tsai on Monday hours after arrival in Taipei at the head of a delegation.
"It's a true honor to be here to convey a message of strong support and friendship from President Trump to Taiwan," he told Tsai.
The visit took place despite warnings from Beijing, which views the self-ruled island as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland under the internationally-recognized "One China" policy.
The US health chief praised the Tsai government's steps to fight the coronavirus outbreak, saying, "Taiwan's response to COVID-19 has been among the most successful in the world, and that is a tribute to the open, transparent, democratic nature of Taiwan's society and culture."
In response, Tsai welcomed Azar's visit as "a huge step forward in anti-pandemic collaborations between our countries."
She said that her government will be cooperating with the US in the health sector.
Tsai also accused Beijing of using its influence to keep Taiwan out of international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
"I'd like to reiterate that political considerations should never take precedence over the rights to health," Tsai said. "The decision to bar Taiwan from participating in the WHA (the World Health Assembly), is a violation of the universal rights to health."
China is opposed to the island's independent membership in the WHO, arguing that it is upon the mainland to represent it on the international stage.
Owing to Washington's support, however, Taiwan managed to attend the WHA session in May.
China condemned the move as a political stunt aimed at promoting Taiwan's attempts to gain independence from the mainland.
Beijing and WHO say Taipei has been provided with all the help and information it needs during the coronavirus pandemic, something Taiwan disputes.
The US official's visit to Taiwan deals yet another blow to the already-troubled relations between Washington and Beijing, which are locking horns over a range of issues, including the pandemic, trade, Hong Kong and the South China Sea.
America – like most of the international community – adheres to the 'One China' policy.
The US cut formal ties with Taipei in 1979 in favor of Beijing, but under Trump, it has turned into the island's largest arms supplier and a staunch supporter of its pro-independence leader, provoking further tensions with China.
Beijing has warned that the visit would pose a threat to peace and security, pledging retaliation.
During his three-day stay, Azar will also meet with his health counterpart Chen Shih-chung and Taiwan's minister for foreign affairs Joseph Wu.
'China sends warplanes as Azar visits Taiwan'
On Monday, Taiwan said Chinese air force jets briefly had crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait as the US health chief visited the island.
It said China's J-11 and J-10 fighter aircraft were tracked by land-based Taiwanese anti-aircraft missiles and were "driven out" by patrolling Taiwanese aircraft.
China's defense ministry did not comment on the incident.
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