A senior member of US President Donald Trump's administration will land in Taiwan Sunday for Washington's highest level visit since switching diplomatic recognition to China in 1979, a move Beijing has condemned.

During the three-day trip Health Secretary Alex Azar will meet President Tsai Ing-wen, an advocate for Taiwan being recognised as a sovereign nation who is loathed by China's leaders.

Azar is the most senior cabinet member to visit Taiwan in decades and it comes as relations between the world's two biggest economic powers plunge to historic lows.

Washington has billed the trip as an opportunity to learn from Taiwan's fight against the coronavirus and to celebrate its progressive values.

"This trip is a recognition of Taiwan's success in combating COVID-19 and a testament to the shared beliefs that open and democratic societies are best equipped to combating disease threats like COVID-19," a health and human services department official told reporters ahead of the visit.

Beijing balks at any recognition of self-ruled Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory and vows to one day seize, by force if necessary.

Last week it described Azar's visit as a threat to "peace and stability" while China's defence minister warned against Washington making any "dangerous moves".

As well as meeting Tsai, Azar will hold talks with his counterpart Chen Shih-chung and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.

He will also meet coronavirus experts and give a speech to public health students as well as alumni of a training programme with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Taiwan has become a poster child for defeating the coronavirus thanks to a well honed track and tracing programme as well as firm border controls.

Despite its proximity and economic links to China it has recorded fewer than 500 infections and seven deaths.

In contrast the US has recorded the most deaths in the world with more than 160,000 fatalities.

- A cautious testing of China -

The rapidly deteriorating relationship between Beijing and Washington comes as Trump seeks re-election in November.

He is trailing in the polls to rival Joe Biden and has begun campaigning hard on an increasingly strident anti-Beijing message.

As public disapproval has grown for his handling of the epidemic, Trump has pivoted from his previous focus on striking a trade deal with China to blaming the country for the coronavirus crisis.

The two countries have clashed on a range of issues, from trade to espionage allegations and Beijing's human rights record.

Washington remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it.

Under Trump, relations with Taiwan have warmed dramatically and he has approved a number of major military sales, including F16 fighter jets.

Douglas Paal, a former head of the American Institute in Taiwan, Washington's de facto embassy, said the Trump administration was still paying heed to China's red line -- that no US official handling national security visit Taiwan.

Throughout the 1990s the United States sent trade officials to Taiwan with regularity.

The difference this time, he said, is the context -- with Azar travelling at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing have hit a new bottom.

"Sending him to Taiwan shows respect for the old framework while putting a finger in China's eye at the same time," Paal said.

"The fact that they didn't choose to send a national security advisor or someone else suggests they are trying to come as close as possible to China's red line but don't want to cross it."

The last cabinet minister to visit Taiwan was in 2014 when the then head of the Environmental Protection Agency led a delegation.

Taiwan has also built broad, bipartisan support in Washington.

Tsai has been hailed not only for her decisive coronavirus response but also, among US Democrats, for her progressive views including advocacy of gay rights, unusual for an Asian leader.

A senior member of US President Donald Trump's administration will land in Taiwan Sunday for Washington's highest level visit since switching diplomatic recognition to China in 1979, a move Beijing has condemned.

A senior member of US President Donald Trump's administration will land in Taiwan Sunday for Washington's highest level visit since switching diplomatic recognition to China in 1979, a move Beijing has condemned. During the three-day trip Health Secretary Alex Azar will meet President Tsai Ing-wen, an advocate for Taiwan being recognised as a sovereign nation who is loathed by China's leaders. Azar is the most senior cabinet member to visit Taiwan in decades and it comes as relations between the world's two biggest economic powers plunge to historic lows. Washington has billed the trip as an opportunity to learn from Taiwan's fight against the coronavirus and to celebrate its progressive values. "This trip is a recognition of Taiwan's success in combating COVID-19 and a testament to the shared beliefs that open and democratic societies are best equipped to combating disease threats like COVID-19," a health and human services department official told reporters ahead of the visit. Beijing balks at any recognition of self-ruled Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory and vows to one day seize, by force if necessary. Last week it described Azar's visit as a threat to "peace and stability" while China's defence minister warned against Washington making any "dangerous moves". As well as meeting Tsai, Azar will hold talks with his counterpart Chen Shih-chung and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. He will also meet coronavirus experts and give a speech to public health students as well as alumni of a training programme with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taiwan has become a poster child for defeating the coronavirus thanks to a well honed track and tracing programme as well as firm border controls. Despite its proximity and economic links to China it has recorded fewer than 500 infections and seven deaths. In contrast the US has recorded the most deaths in the world with more than 160,000 fatalities. - A cautious testing of China - The rapidly deteriorating relationship between Beijing and Washington comes as Trump seeks re-election in November. He is trailing in the polls to rival Joe Biden and has begun campaigning hard on an increasingly strident anti-Beijing message. As public disapproval has grown for his handling of the epidemic, Trump has pivoted from his previous focus on striking a trade deal with China to blaming the country for the coronavirus crisis. The two countries have clashed on a range of issues, from trade to espionage allegations and Beijing's human rights record. Washington remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it. Under Trump, relations with Taiwan have warmed dramatically and he has approved a number of major military sales, including F16 fighter jets. Douglas Paal, a former head of the American Institute in Taiwan, Washington's de facto embassy, said the Trump administration was still paying heed to China's red line -- that no US official handling national security visit Taiwan. Throughout the 1990s the United States sent trade officials to Taiwan with regularity. The difference this time, he said, is the context -- with Azar travelling at a time when relations between Washington and Beijing have hit a new bottom. "Sending him to Taiwan shows respect for the old framework while putting a finger in China's eye at the same time," Paal said. "The fact that they didn't choose to send a national security advisor or someone else suggests they are trying to come as close as possible to China's red line but don't want to cross it." The last cabinet minister to visit Taiwan was in 2014 when the then head of the Environmental Protection Agency led a delegation. Taiwan has also built broad, bipartisan support in Washington. Tsai has been hailed not only for her decisive coronavirus response but also, among US Democrats, for her progressive views including advocacy of gay rights, unusual for an Asian leader.

US to begin highest level Taiwan visit in decades

The Department has been in communication with Taiwan's relevant government agencies regarding COVID-19 protocols

U.S health secy Alex Azar reaches Taiwan | U.S-Taiwan | WION | World News

U.S sends highest representative to Taiwan since 1979 | Alex Azar visit | U.S-Taiwan

U.S health secretary Alex Azar to visit Taiwan today

The United States has approved a possible $620 million upgrade package for Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan, the State Department said, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China.

The United States, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the democratic island with the means to defend itself.

China, which claims the democratically-ruled island as its own territory, routinely denounces US arms sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan has requested to buy components to upgrade its Patriot missiles "in order to support an operational life of 30 years", the State Department said on Thursday.

Lockheed Martin will be the main contractor and the total estimated cost will be $620 million, it added.

"This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," it said.

"The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defence. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces."

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it expected the sale to take effect within the next month.

"This arms sale is the 7th by the Trump administration to Taiwan so far, fully demonstrating the importance attached to our national defence security, consolidating our security partnership with the United States, and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region," the ministry said.

Taiwan has been bolstering its defences in the face of what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as regular Chinese air force and naval exercises near Taiwan.

While Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment of its own such as stealth fighters.

The United States has approved a possible $620 million upgrade package for Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan, the State Department said, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China.

The United States has approved a possible $620 million upgrade package for Patriot surface-to-air missiles to Taiwan, the State Department said, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China. The United States, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the democratic island with the means to defend itself. China, which claims the democratically-ruled island as its own territory, routinely denounces US arms sales to Taiwan. Taiwan has requested to buy components to upgrade its Patriot missiles "in order to support an operational life of 30 years", the State Department said on Thursday. Lockheed Martin will be the main contractor and the total estimated cost will be $620 million, it added. "This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability," it said. "The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defence. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces." Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it expected the sale to take effect within the next month. "This arms sale is the 7th by the Trump administration to Taiwan so far, fully demonstrating the importance attached to our national defence security, consolidating our security partnership with the United States, and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region," the ministry said. Taiwan has been bolstering its defences in the face of what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as regular Chinese air force and naval exercises near Taiwan. While Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment of its own such as stealth fighters.

US approves $620 million missile upgrade package for Taiwan

President Donald Trump signed off Friday on new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taipei counterparts, a move that will anger Beijing.

The White House said Trump had signed the &quot;Taiwan Travel Act,&quot; which &quot;encourages visits between officials of the United States and Taiwan at all levels.&quot;

US representatives can already travel to democratic Taiwan and Taiwanese officials occasionally visit the White House, but meetings are usually low profile to avoid offending China.

Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favour of Beijing. But it maintains trade relations with the island and sells it weapons, angering China.

China sees Taiwan as a renegade province and has long stated its desire for reunification.

The new law describes Taiwan as &quot;a beacon of democracy&quot; in Asia, and states that &quot;Taiwan&#39;s democratic achievements inspire many countries and people in the region.&quot;

Senator Jim Inhofe welcomed the move, saying high-level meetings &quot;remain extremely valuable, especially as China continues their unprecedented reclamation in the South China Sea.&quot; 
He described the legislation as &quot;an important tool as we continue to ensure Taiwan has the ability to defend itself and remains a committed US partner in the region.&quot;

Trump&#39;s signature, announced late on Friday -- when the White House usually tries to bury news -- comes amid increasing tensions between the mainland and the self-ruled island.

Beijing has cut off official communications with Taipei because President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to acknowledge the democratic island as part of &quot;one China&quot;.

Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favour of Beijing

President Donald Trump signed off Friday on new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan to meet their Taipei counterparts, a move that will anger Beijing. The White House said Trump had signed the "Taiwan Travel Act," which "encourages visits between officials of the United States and Taiwan at all levels." US representatives can already travel to democratic Taiwan and Taiwanese officials occasionally visit the White House, but meetings are usually low profile to avoid offending China. Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favour of Beijing. But it maintains trade relations with the island and sells it weapons, angering China. China sees Taiwan as a renegade province and has long stated its desire for reunification. The new law describes Taiwan as "a beacon of democracy" in Asia, and states that "Taiwan's democratic achievements inspire many countries and people in the region." Senator Jim Inhofe welcomed the move, saying high-level meetings "remain extremely valuable, especially as China continues their unprecedented reclamation in the South China Sea." He described the legislation as "an important tool as we continue to ensure Taiwan has the ability to defend itself and remains a committed US partner in the region." Trump's signature, announced late on Friday -- when the White House usually tries to bury news -- comes amid increasing tensions between the mainland and the self-ruled island. Beijing has cut off official communications with Taipei because President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to acknowledge the democratic island as part of "one China".

Trump approves official travel to Taiwan

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