US, Taiwan ink five-year agreement on science and health amid tensions with China

Taiwan and United States held ir first high-level meeting under a new ecomic dialogue on vember 20, where y covered a broad range of ecomic issues including 5G networks and telecom security, supply chains, global health, science, and techlogy among or things. two sides also inked a five-year agreement to establish an "institutionalised dialogue mechanism".

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen had recently called for a bilateral trade agreement with United States and even though memorandum of understanding signed is t related to that, many hope it to be a stepping stone. meeting was held amid much-talked-about US presidential transition period and also in face of increasing Chinese threat in region. 

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'Sign of continued commitment'

US-Taiwan Ecomic Prosperity Partnership (EPP) Dialogue was held in Washington DC under auspices of American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and Taipei Ecomic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO). As per reports, EPP dialogue was led by Under Secretary of State for Ecomic Growth, Energy, and Environment Keith Krach and Taiwan's Minister of Ecomic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua. 

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EPP dialogue also covered issues such as Clean Network, investment screening, clean infrastructure cooperation, renewable energy, ecomic empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship. 

"As a sign of continued and expanded commitment to science and techlogy collaboration, AIT and TECRO also anunced ir intention to negotiate a Science and Techlogy Agreement to advance joint understanding and collaboration on a broad range of science and techlogy topics," US state department said in a statement.

China has, on multiple occasions, warned United States of elevating relations with Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. China wants Washington to adhere to so-called 'One-China' policy while dealing with Taiwan, especially in defence domain. To send messs to Taiwan, China carries out regular incursions across median line and threatens to use its military might against Taipei. 

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