US holds firm on expanding ‘Taiwan’s international space’

Senior American diplomat tells UN event that island committed to using technological expertise for common good

Event also attended by Taiwan’s foreign minister and the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations

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The United States remains committed to expanding Taiwan’s international space, according to a senior US diplomat. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:52pm, 30 Sep 2021Updated: 3:52pm, 30 Sep 2021

The United States remains committed to expanding Taiwan’s space for international participation, a senior US diplomat said at an event with Taiwan’s foreign minister that was also attended by the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations.

Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, blocks the island from taking part in most global bodies such as the United Nations, saying it is a Chinese province with no right to the trappings of a state.

Speaking at a virtual panel on the UN Sustainable Development Goals on Wednesday, Jeremy Cornforth, deputy director of the de facto US embassy the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), said tech heavyweight Taiwan was committed to using its technological prowess “for the common good”.

Cornforth noted Taiwan was prevented from meaningful participation in bodies including the World Health Assembly, but said the event would highlight how Taiwan was using its technological prowess to help the international community solve shared challenges.

“The United States remains committed to expanding Taiwan’s international space,” he added, in comments released by the AIT on Thursday.

The AIT said deputy US ambassador to the United Nations Jeffrey Prescott gave closing remarks, though gave no details.