US New De Facto Embassy in Taiwan Signifies Robust Ties

The US dedicated a new de-facto embassy in Taiwan on Tuesday in what officials described as an indicator of robust ties with the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its own territory.

The recently completed American Institute in Taiwan office in a suburb of the capital Taipei will house US representatives and serves American interests in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, ABC News reported.

The US switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979 but maintains close economic, political and security ties with Taiwan.

“We should all be proud of this milestone, which is a symbol of the close cooperation and enduring friendship between the United States and Taiwan,” AIT Director Kin W. Moy, the US ambassador in all but name, said at the dedication ceremony.

Joining Moy was US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, who called the new office “a symbol of the strength and vibrancy of the US-Taiwan partnership in the 21st century.”

Among other officials attending the ceremony was Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, whose independence-leaning administration Beijing has sought to isolate diplomatically and threatens with invasion.

Tsai wrote in a tweet that the dedication of the office compound was an opportunity to “rededicate ourselves to our shared commitment that as free & open democracies, Taiwan & US have an obligation to work w/one another to defend our shared values… I look forward 2 an even brighter chapter in our enduring friendship!” Tsai wrote.