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Reuters

Lawrence  Chung

Taipei yesterday expressed regret at embarrassing its chief ally the United States after a Taiwanese flag-raising ceremony in Washington sparked US criticism and Beijing's anger.
Taiwan's flag was raised over its de facto embassy in Washington on New Year's Day for the first time since the US switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.
The US was "disappointed with the action", State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Tuesday.
"The flag-raising ceremony violated our longstanding understanding on the conduct of our unofficial relations," she told reporters, adding that it had not been informed in advance of the ceremony.
Beijing had said on Monday that it "resolutely opposed" the flag-raising and had lodged a protest with the US.
The United States has long held a "one-China" policy, and does not have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing still claims as part of its territory.
Washington has a representative office in Taipei, while Taiwan maintains representation at a luxury estate in the US capital known as Twin Oaks.
"This is an isolated incident. We regret that it caused the US inconvenience," Taiwanese deputy foreign minister Andrew Kao told a parliamentary session yester day. "We have an understanding [with the US] and we will continue to enhance communica tion."
De facto ambassador Shen Lyu-shun, who made the decision to raise the flag, was subjected to fierce grilling in the session but defended the move.
Shen said his office had deliberately not informed the US government about the flag-raising.
"It was a goodwill gesture," said Shen. "If [mainland] China protests, you can say you didn't know."
Shen also denied that the incident had damaged Taiwan's relations with the United States.
"We are not primary school students and there was no denunciation," he said.
Kao admitted that Taipei had not been aware of the ceremony in advance, too, but said it respected and supported Shen's decision.
Agence France-Presse, Reuters Additional reporting by Lawrence Chung


Taipei 'regrets' that flag raising ceremony in Washington embarrassed US

The flag raised at Taiwan's representative office in Washington. Photo: SCMP

US pleads ignorance after Taiwan’s flag-raising ceremony in Washington angers Beijing

Attendees take part in the New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony at Twin Oaks Estate in Washington. It was the first time in 36 years that the flag had been flown at the official residence of Taiwan's representative to the US. Photo: CNA

News

China

De facto mission acted on its own, Taiwan side says after Washington expresses disappointment


Taipei expressed regret at embarrassing its chief ally the United States after a Taiwanese flag-raising ceremony in Washington sparked US criticism and Beijing's anger.
