Relations between China and the US, already strained by official US visits to Taiwan, threaten to further worsen when the governments of Washington and Taipei announced on Thursday, Aug. autumn”. of a new initiative to expand bilateral cooperation. The parties will deepen relations in the area of ​​trade and investment, said the office of the US Special Representative for Trade, Catherine Tai.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of a united China and strongly opposes any form of official contact by other countries with Taipei. In the context of reports of impending trade talks between the United States and Taiwan, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically spoken out against any formal agreements that would have implications for China’s sovereignty.

US visits to Taiwan

Relations between China and the United States have deteriorated sharply due to the recent visit to Taiwan by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It was the highest-profile US visit to the rebellious Chinese island in a quarter of a century. Pelosi ranks third in the US political hierarchy. After the president and vice president. Shortly afterward, a delegation of US congressmen visited Taiwan.

Beijing called what was happening a provocation and, as a show of force, carried out the biggest military exercises in decades, practicing an air and sea blockade and simulating an armed takeover of Taiwan. China wants Taiwan back under its full control and threatens to take it back by force if necessary. At the same time, the US pledged to defend Taiwan.