U.S. and Taiwan (2009)

U.S. Department of State

Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman

Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC
May 13, 2009

12:45 p.m. EDT

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Yesterday, I suggested that I might have a question about Taiwan, but then I didn't. Now I do. (Laughter.)

MR. KELLY: I'm ready for you, Matt.

QUESTION: Yeah? (Laughter.) What does the State Department have to say, if anything, about the -- an official visit to Taipei by the governor of Guam?

MR. KELLY: Well, Matt, U.S. policy has not changed. The United States maintains a "one China" policy based on the three U.S.-PRC joint communications and the Taiwan Relations Act. U.S. state and local officials, from time to time, visit Taiwan. These visits further our economic and other relations with the people of Taiwan, as described in the Taiwan Relations Act, and are consistent with our policy.

QUESTION: Okay. So you don't have a problem with this visit, even though it's -- even though the governor's office is calling it an official state visit?

MR. KELLY: Well, the United States does not conduct state visits with Taiwan.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

(The briefing was concluded at 1:15 p.m.)