US embassy in Netherlands hosts Taiwan days after restrictions lifted
- With no formal diplomatic recognition between the two sides, previous meetings have been strictly unofficial
- Taipei’s representative meets US ambassador in first interaction since restrictions removed on Saturday
Ambassador Pete Hoekstra announced on Twitter that Chen Hsing-hsing had met with him at the embassy on Monday, after Pompeo’s Saturday announcement of the change in the waning days of the Trump administration.
China condemned the move as an attempt to prevent reunification of the island. Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory, with no right to state-to-state ties.
“Made some history today: Welcomed Taiwan representative Chen to our embassy,” Hoekstra posted, along with pictures of the two of them in the embassy building. “Glad that our @StateDept colleagues around the world will now be able to host our friends from this vibrant democracy on our embassy grounds.”
Chen tweeted she was extremely pleased and honoured to visit the embassy, saying it was “the very first time in my diplomatic career”.
The US, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and previous interactions between officials from both sides were limited to non-official venues such as hotels.
China has been angered by stepped-up US support for Taiwan under Donald Trump, including arms sales and visits to Taipei by senior US officials.
The US ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft is due to arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday for a three-day visit, which has also angered Beijing.
