Taiwan’s vice president-elect on low-profile visit to Washington–WSJ

Hsiao Bi-khim, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) vice presidential candidate, speaks during a press conference ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Taipei, Taiwan January 9, 2024. REUTERS

Taiwan’s vice president-elect, Hsiao Bi-khim, is in Washington this week for a low-profile private visit, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Taiwan’s presidential office said there was no information available at the moment on the matter.

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Hsiao’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party also said it has no information to provide on the report.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the island’s strong rejections.

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Hsiao, 52, has been Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States since 2020 until last year before she joined the presidential race. She is fluent English speaker with deep connections in Washington.

Diplomatic sources have told Reuters that Hsiao can act as a key go-between for Taipei and Washington, the island’s most important arms seller and international backer despite the absence of formal ties.