A demonstrator holds flags of Taiwan and US in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Burlingame, California. File/Reuters

Gulf Today Report

A US removal of curbs on interactions with Taiwan officials is a "big thing", Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Monday.

The relations with the United States have been elevated to a global partnership, describing while speaking to reporters, Wu said the US ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, would meet President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday during a visit to Taipei to discuss how to promote Taiwan's international participation.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the change on Saturday, in the waning days of the Republican Trump administration before Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency on Jan. 20.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during an event. File photo

China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has yet to formally respond, but the move is likely to increase Sino-US tension.

"This is a big thing for the elevation of Taiwan-US relations," Wu told reporters, expressing his "sincere gratitude" to the US government.

"Taiwan-US relations have been elevated to a global partnership. The foreign ministry will not let our guard down and hope to continue to boost the development of Taiwan-US ties."

Reuters