Senior US diplomat wraps up Taiwan visit

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TAIPEI, Sept 19, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A top US diplomat attended the funeral
for former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui Saturday which featured a eulogy by
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before wrapping up a visit
overshadowed by Chinese military exercises.

Keith Krach, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the
environment, was the highest-ranking State Department official to visit
Taiwan since 1979 when Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

The trip, the second high-ranking US visit in as many months, sparked an
immediate rebuke from China, which baulks at any recognition of Taiwan and
has mounted a decades-long policy of marginalising the democratic island.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China of “military blustering”
as Beijing conducted military exercises on Friday near the Taiwan Strait
during Krach’s visit.

On Saturday, Krach attended the memorial service for Lee, sitting next to
former Japanese prime minister Yoshiro Mori. He is due to leave Taiwan
Saturday afternoon after a three-day visit.

Krach did not make any remarks at the service while in a pre-recorded
video the Dalai Lama praised Lee’s commitment to democracy.

“I admire his commitment to democracy and freedom … as his close friend
I always remember him and as a Buddhist I always pray,” he said.

Like Lee, the Dalai Lama is also branded a “splittist” by Beijing which
accuses him of seeking Tibet’s independence from China.

Lee, who died in July aged 97, was a towering figure in Taiwan’s history,
helping the once authoritarian island transition to a vibrant democracy and
later angering China by pushing for it to be recognised as a sovereign
country.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan part of its territory, to be absorbed
into the mainland — by force if necessary.

Beijing has ramped up diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan
since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its view that
the island is part of “one China”.

Washington’s increased outreach to Taiwan under President Donald Trump has
become yet another flashpoint with China as the countries clash over a range
of issues of trade and security issues, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.

On Friday, Krach held closed-door meetings with Taiwan’s premier and other
top officials before joining President Tsai for dinner at her official
residence.

“I’m sure the productive discussions we had today will bring Taiwan & the
US even closer together & open the door to further collaboration,” Tsai
tweeted.

Trump has embraced Taiwan more closely as a way to hit back at Beijing,
especially as he seeks re-election in November.

He has also approved some major arms sales, something his recent
predecessors were more reluctant to do.