Radio Taiwan International
Date: 18 August, 2020
By: Natalie Tso

The US has been bolstering Taiwan's status. That was the title of a New York Times article written by Edward Wong on Tuesday. 

He said a recent visit by US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and the sale of advanced torpedoes are recent moves that have strengthened ties. Last week, President Tsai also gave a video talk hosted by two policy research groups in Washington. She stressed the need to strengthen military ties and establish a free-trade agreement.

Wong believes these are attempts by the Trump administration to highlight Taiwan’s striving democracy and counter China’s attempts to weaken Taiwan’s diplomatic status.  China claims Taiwan to be part of its territory, though Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949. 

Taiwan is a part of the US’s competition and confrontation with China. A former top US defense official Elbridge A. Colby said, “Taiwan is the most important thing from a military and credibility point of view.” Wong said this is especially true as China has tightened control on Hong Kong through the national security law.     [FULL  STORY]