CHINA-TAIWAN: US AMBASSADOR TO PALAU BECOMES FIRST U.S. AMBASSADOR HOLDING OFFICE TO VISIT TAIWAN
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U.S. Ambassador to Palau, John Hennesey-Niland became the first sitting envoy to travel to Taiwan in an official capacity since Washington cut formal ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing in 1979. Hennessey was accompanying a delegation from the Pacific Island nation of Palau, including Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted with a sharp warning: “It must stop any official interaction with Taiwan, refrain from sending any wrong signals to Taiwan independent forces, stop any attempt to cross the bottom line, and properly handle Taiwan-related issues with prudence, lest it should damage China-U.S. relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
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