The United States has appointed a new representative to Taiwan amidst escalating tensions with China over the self-ruled island's desire to maintain its de-facto independence. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, recently conducted naval and air force drills simulating a blockade around the island.
The American Institute in Taiwan, serving as the de-facto embassy in Taipei, announced that veteran diplomat Raymond Greene will succeed Sandra Oudkirk in the summer of 2024. Despite severing formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favor of establishing relations with the People’s Republic of China, the U.S. remains Taiwan's strongest ally and is committed by law to assist in defending the island from potential invasion.
