This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Relations between the US and China have been strained in recent years, and a recent visit by US health chief Alex Azar to Taiwan has further escalated tensions.
On August 5, 2020, the American Institute in Taiwan confirmed that Azar would lead a delegation to the self-ruled island, marking the first Cabinet member visit in six years and the highest level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979.
"This marks... the first Cabinet member to visit in six years, and the highest level visit by a US Cabinet official since 1979," the American Institute in Taiwan said.
Azar's trip is seen as a significant development in the US-Taiwan relationship, which has been strengthened under US President Donald Trump.
"Secretary Azar is a long-time staunch friend of Taiwan," Taiwan's foreign ministry said, describing his upcoming trip as "ample evidence of the solid foundation of mutual trust" between Washington and Taipei.
The US has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with Taiwan, but Trump's administration has taken a more assertive approach, embracing Taiwan as a way to counterbalance China's growing influence.
The last cabinet-level trip to Taiwan was in 2014, when the then head of the Environmental Protection Agency visited, while the most recent before that was a trip in 2000 by a transport secretary under US President Bill Clinton.
