NEW YORK (US) – The US ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, said the United States stands by Taiwan and always will on Wednesday. The statement comes following a call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, after her trip to Taipei got cancelled this week.
The trip was cancelled by the State Department as part of a ban on all travel as part of the transition to the incoming Biden administration.
With China viewing Taiwan as it’s own territory, Beijing had heavily objected to the planned visit.
Craft, who is due to leave the role when Joe Biden assumes the presidency next week, wrote on Twitter that it was a “great privilege” to speak with Tsai.
“We discussed the many ways Taiwan is a model for the world, as demonstrated by its success in fighting COVID-19 and all that Taiwan has to offer in the fields of health, technology & cutting-edge science,” she said.
“Unfortunately, Taiwan is unable to share those successes in UN venues, including the World Health Assembly, as a result of PRC obstruction,” Craft added, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
“I made clear to President Tsai that the U.S. stands with Taiwan and always will, as friends and partners, standing shoulder to shoulder as pillars of democracy.”
Craft’s visit would have been highly symbolic as Taiwan is not a U.N. member due to China’s objections.
Taiwan’s presidential office said Tsai and Clark had discussed the island’s international participation, Taiwan-U.S. ties and the “sharing of democratic ideals”. It added that David Feith, Deputy U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs was also on the call.
Beijing has been uneasy with the support Taiwan has been receiving from the administration of outgoing President Donald Trump, including trips to Taipei by top U.S. officials.
