The United States Senate has passed a bill seeking to review long-standing restrictions on official engagement with Taiwan, a move certain to anger Beijing.
Advertisement
For over four decades, Washington’s own guidelines have limited how officials may interact with their Taiwanese counterparts.
But the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act asks the State Department to “identify opportunities and plans to lift self-imposed restrictions on relations with Taiwan”.
Passed without objection by senators from both parties on Tuesday night, the legislation – which has yet to be signed into law by President Donald Trump – could pave the way for higher-level exchanges between Taipei and Washington.
It may also open up the possibility of senior Taiwanese officials visiting the US capital, something Beijing has long opposed.
Advertisement
The issue of Taiwan has been a key flashpoint between Beijing and Washington even while the prospect of stabilising the relationship between the two superpowers grows.