U.S. Official Joins Taiwanese President in Commemorating R.O.C.-P.R.C. Clash

Aug. 23, 2020 (EIRNS)—Brent Christensen, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan (the unofficial U.S. embassy), joined Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen in a ceremony commemorating Taiwan’s defense against the 1958 P.R.C. bombardment of Kinmen Island—the beginning of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. Just a couple of kilometers off the coast of People’s Republic of China city Xiamen, Kinmen is administered by Taiwan (Republic of China). President Tsai laid a wreath at a memorial park, with Christensen standing behind her. Christensen himself laid a wreath at a monument honoring U.S. soldiers killed during military operations on the island.

Tsai had gone in person to Kinmen the previous year as well. In 2018, the Defense Minister went to commemorate the 60th anniversary.

The participation of the U.S. in this commemoration signals support to Taiwan’s defense and towards its independence, counter to the One-China policy to which the U.S. agreed in establishing diplomatic relations with the P.R.C. on January 1, 1979.