JAKARTA - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged member states of the United Nations (UN), to support Taiwan's increased participation in UN agencies.
The call is a direct challenge to China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has the sole right to represent the island internationally.
Looking back, Taiwan occupied China's seat at the United Nations for more than two decades, after Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government withdrew to the island when Communist forces invaded the mainland in 1949.
The seat was transferred to Beijing in 1971 by a vote of the United Nations General Assembly. However, Taiwan has since been allowed to participate in several UN agencies.
"The fact that Taiwan has participated strongly in certain UN specialized agencies for the most part over the past 50 years, is a testament to the value that the international community places in Taiwan's contribution", Foreign Minister Blinken said in a statement, citing VOA Oct. 26.
"However, recently, Taiwan was not allowed to contribute to UN efforts", Foreign Minister Blinken continued.
The top US diplomat said Taiwan's exclusion from UN forums undermined the important work of the UN and its related agencies, all of which benefited greatly from its contribution.
"That is why we encourage all UN member states to join us in supporting Taiwan's strong and meaningful participation throughout the UN system and in the international community", said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Meanwhile, China said it was "deeply concerned" about US advocacy for Taiwan's participation in global organizations and that Washington's efforts would fail.
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In recent months, tensions have risen between Beijing and Taipei, with Beijing sending dozens of warplanes on flights through Taiwan's air defense zone.
Last week, at CNN Town Hall, President Joe Biden said the United States was committed to defending the island and would defend Taiwan if China attacked it.
Later, the White House said there was no change in US policy. Despite supporting the one-China policy, the US sent military aid to Taiwan.
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