Senior US Official To Hold Talks In Taiwan

Taiwan and the US will hold talks later this year as part of upgraded efforts to counter Beijing's growing pressure on the island for political unification.

The talks planned for September in Taipei will include a senior official from Washington, the de facto US ambassador to Taipei William Brent Christensen said on Tuesday.

"We believe it's possible to have a good relationship with Taiwan and a good relationship with China at the same time," said Christensen, the director of American Institute in Taiwan said at a news conference.

"Things we do with Taiwan should not be regarded as things that we are doing because we are seeking to provoke China or vice versa."

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said the "Indo-Pacific Democratic Governance Consultations" – as the dialogue is termed – would allow the two sides to "grow closer and more direct in their cooperation ... to protect regional freedom and legal order".

While there was no immediate word from Beijing, they will "most definitely" protest against the consultations, said Shane Lee, a political scientist at Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. (AP)