US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar is scheduled to meet Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen during his visit.
TAIPEI - U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar arrived in Taiwan on Sunday as the highest-level U.S. official to visit in four decades, a trip condemned by China which claims the island as its own, further irritating Sino-U.S. relations.
Beijing, already arguing with Washington over everything from human rights and trade to the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has threatened unspecified countermeasures to Azar's visit. China considers Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under its control by force if needed. In accordance with COVID-19 rules, there were no handshakes and all officials wore masks, including Azar, as seen in images broadcast live on Taiwanese television.
On Monday he will sign a health cooperation memorandum of understanding with Taiwan's government and visit Taiwan's Centres for Disease Control.Azar and his team had to be tested for the coronavirus before and upon arrival. They will have to wear face masks throughout their visit and practice social distancing.
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