Taiwan says virus aid sent quietly to avoid Beijing protests

11/8/2020 14:57

        Taiwan sent COVID-19 assistance to foreign countries surreptitiously to avoid protests from China, its foreign minister said Tuesday during a meeting with the highest-level American official to visit the island in four decades.
        
        China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has sought to isolate it diplomatically, including barring its participation in forums such as the World Health Assembly.
        
        The trip by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar comes against the backdrop of a sharp downturn in relations between China and the U.S. and Azar said in his remarks that the U.S. supported Taiwan's participation in international health forums.
        
        Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says, China's attempts to isolated Taiwan has compelled the island at times to keep its donations of masks and personal protective equipment under the radar.