In Heavy Blow to China, US Lifts All Curbs on Contacts with Taiwan

On Saturday, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo announced that his country decided to end decades-old curbs governing official contacts with Taiwan.

The US decision is a heavy blow to China, as the latter has been experiencing months-long tension with the US against the background of many issues, foremost of which is the coronavirus pandemic, trade disputes and the file of energy fields in the South China Sea.

In a statement, Pompeo said, “Today I am announcing that I am lifting all of these self-imposed restrictions."

“Executive branch agencies should consider all ‘contact guidelines’ regarding relations with Taiwan previously issued by the Department of State under authorities delegated to the Secretary of State to be null and void,” he added.