US Hails Ties As It Opens New Centre In Taiwan

The United States on Tuesday unveiled a new US$255 million de facto embassy in Taiwan in what was hailed as a "milestone" in relations, as the self-ruled island comes under increasing pressure from Beijing.

The recently completed American Institute in Taiwan office in a suburb of the capital Taipei will house US representatives and serves American interests in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Marie Royce, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, attended the dedication ceremony with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

"AIT's new home is both a tangible symbol that reflects the strength of our ties and a state-of-the-art facility that will make possible even greater cooperation for years to come," said Royce, the wife of pro-Taiwan congressman and House foreign affairs committee chairman Ed Royce.

AIT chairman James Moriarty called the new complex a "milestone" in the US-Taiwan relationship and a "testament to the strong US commitment to Taiwan".

Tsai hailed the complex as a new chapter in the "great story of US-Taiwan relations".

Since Tsai came to power two years ago, Beijing has cut contact with her government because Taipei refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China". (AFP)