Textual content dimension
Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei to debate funding alternatives because the potential US presidential contender kicked off a commerce mission to Asia, their workplaces mentioned.
The assembly comes at a time when relations between Beijing and Washington are nosediving, with a lot acrimony centred across the problem of Taiwan.
Youngkin mentioned he was thrilled to fulfill with Tsai on Monday, the primary day of a global commerce mission that may embrace stops in Tokyo and Seoul.
Taiwan is “an essential coaching associate and mannequin of prosperity for nations throughout the globe,” he mentioned, saying the institution of a Taiwan-Virginia financial improvement workplace.
The governor is taken into account a attainable contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination however has but to declare his candidacy.
Tsai mentioned she was joyful to obtain associates from the US, including that Taipei has at all times loved sturdy hyperlinks with the state of Virginia.
“That Governor Youngkin has chosen Taiwan because the vacation spot for his first abroad journey since taking workplace is very vital,” she mentioned.
China views democratic Taiwan as a part of its territory and doesn’t permit diplomatic recognition of each Beijing and Taipei.
Tensions between the US and China have flared in latest months, with the most recent fracas coming over Tsai’s go to to Los Angeles earlier this month, the place she met Home Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
In response, China launched three days of struggle video games round Taiwan, simulating focused strikes and a blockade of the island.
Days after the navy workout routines ended, the US despatched a warship by way of the waters separating Taiwan and mainland China in a “freedom of navigation” train.
aw-ssy/cwl