TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. Representative Andy Ogles recently urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to allow State Department officials to attend Taiwan's National Day reception at Twin Oaks on Oct. 2.
According to CNA, Ogles emphasized that strengthening ties with friendly nations aligns with U.S. interests and suggested that officials attend even in an unofficial capacity.
Ogles pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party attempts to influence U.S. national policy at various levels, including dictating who can attend National Day events in the U.S., which he condemned.
He noted that last year, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Kin Moy attended China's National Day event in an official capacity, despite China's hostile stance toward U.S. interests.
Ogles criticized the absence of U.S. executive branch officials at Taiwan's National Day event at Twin Oaks last year. He questioned why the U.S. would send top diplomats to an adversary's National Day while restricting interactions with a friendly nation.
Ogles described the State Department's approach to this issue as "overly cautious" and stressed that Taiwan is one of America's most important allies and partners.
Ogles called on Blinken to allow State Department officials to attend this year's National Day event at Twin Oaks to demonstrate U.S. support for Taiwan.