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Taiwan appoints Tsai Ing-wen confidant Hsiao Bi-khim as US envoy

  • 48-year-old set to take over as head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington next month
  • Hsiao’s ‘experience of US-Taiwan relations and international affairs makes her an excellent choice for the job’, colleague says

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Hsiao Bi-khim is the first woman to be appointed as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US. Bi-khim Photo: CNA
Taiwan has appointed a confidant of President Tsai Ing-wen to serve as the island’s representative to the United States.
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Hsiao Bi-khim, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and adviser to Taiwan’s National Security Council, is the first woman to fill the de facto ambassador role, the presidential office said on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old was formally appointed head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington by Tsai on Tuesday, replacing veteran diplomat Stanley Kao, presidential spokesman Ting Yun-kung said.

“President Tsai expects Hsiao Bi-khim to continue to deepen US-Taiwan relations through the existing foundation, given that the United States is Taiwan’s most important international partner,” Ting said.

Before losing her seat in the January elections, Hsiao had served as a DPP legislator since 2002, overseeing foreign relations and defence affairs for the party and heading up its international affairs department, making her well-versed in international affairs, Ting said.

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