Arizona, Oct 5:
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung visited Arizona to inaugurate a new de facto consular office, highlighting the island’s expanding unofficial ties with the United States.
The development comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between Taiwan and China. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and strongly opposes moves that strengthen the island’s international presence.
The US, meanwhile, remains Taiwan’s key international partner and its principal source of military equipment. The opening of the Arizona office is expected to further deepen economic and people-to-people ties between the two sides.